We Are God’s People, the Flock of the Most High

We Are God’s People, the Flock of the Most High

Psalm 100 expands the 1st reading’s notion of Israel as God’s chosen people; we, too, have been adopted by God in baptism and now belong to this beloved assembly. Using the image of a flock to represent the assembly, we are called to have faith and follow the shepherd. The verse chosen as refrain opens up the image of church to that of a pilgrim people in transition and a flock under the guidance of the shepherd. Each image leads to a different understanding of church. No one image is exhaustive.

All the earth cries out to you
with shouts of joy, O God,
serving you with gladness;
coming before you, singing for joy.

You, Creator of all, are God.
You made us, we belong to you,
we are your people,
the sheep of your pasture.

Indeed, how good you are,
enduring, your steadfast love.
You are faithful to all generations.