Today's Scripture Readings
Acts 4:5-12 (NRSV)
Psalm 23 (BCP., p. 612)
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18 (NRSV)
Blog Reflection
I actually love the Fourth Sunday of Easter, among other Sundays and Feasts during the Church Year. I think it is awesome that we get to return to these celebrations year after year to recall what we believe, and to find new opportunities for growth from the point in which we find ourselves.
The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd may seem prehistoric for us in the 21st Century. We are a society of "do it for you here and now" technology, with opportunities for further advancement. These and other achievements give us a sense of self-sufficiency and personal freedom. Why in the world might we need to have a conversation about a shepherd in the age of cell-phones, computers, ATM machines and electronic mail?
The reality is that no matter how great we become at providing the good life for ourselves, there are always those who fall through the cracks. Just as everyone has the possibility of gaining the best of the world, everyone still has the possibility of losing it all and finding themselves at the bottom of the priority list. There is still sickness, death, violence, prejudice and evil of all kinds. Wars and/or controversies that divide communities all over the world, still begin faster than our willingness to work for justice, peace and equality.
Over these past weeks we have seen an all out political, social and religious created war against women. State governments that claim to be "getting government out of people's ways" have passed laws all over the nation that are creating two classes of women. One class of women are those who can afford reproductive health care services, the other are those who cannot. Just this past week, the United States Senate passed the third authorization of the Violence Against Women Act, designed to protect them from domestic abuse. GOP Senator Chuck Grassley wanted the bill watered down, removing domestic violence protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Additional violence towards women came by way of the Vatican coming down on the Religious Women who do a lot of good work for the poor and the homeless, while also speaking up about church related violence towards women and LGBT people. Rather than understanding their role as shepherds on behalf of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ who brings unity, peace and equality, the the Roman Churches' leadership misuses their authority by way of religious and spiritual abuse. Many proud and powerful women are speaking out, defending their dignity and integrity. You can read a really good article in the National Catholic Reporter here.
We need the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd today, because of those who use his Name to exercise violence, spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse. Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and Good Shepherd came to lay down his life for the sheep so that we all may now that God accepts and loves us, unconditionally and all-inclusively. If we honor Jesus as a shepherd, then we must know and understand that no amount of discrimination and violence used in the Name of the Son of God is ordained and honored by God. No use of the Bible or Church Tradition to justify social, political and religious based bigotry has any moral basis or mission that honors Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. On the contrary, to use the Christian Faith as an excuse for oppression and abuse is an example of what Jesus meant when he said: "The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-- and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep."
As with any sheepfold, the one led and guarded by Jesus, the Good Shepherd has many sheep who are different and/or even unusual. Each one has a beauty and purpose, even if they are not accepted by others in the flock. Though other sheep might reject the unusual ones, Jesus loves each of us and cares for all of us as his very own. Jesus laid down his life on the Cross and rose from the dead to give us all the hope of new and everlasting life. That hope is meant to inspire us to do all we can in the here and now to take good care of ourselves. Our Shepherd also calls us to do what we can for other sheep in God's flock. We don't all have to be perfect, white, straight, healthy, wealthy, arch-conservative Bible beaters, male or even Christian. God's sheepfold is inclusive, where each sheep is special and redeemable, with God being the Savior and the ultimate decider of what our real destiny is.
May the Risen Jesus, our Good Shepherd, guide everyone of us to justice, peace and equality for all of God's people.
Prayers
Acts 4:5-12 (NRSV)
The day after they had arrested Peter and John for teaching about Jesus and the resurrection, the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is
There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among mortals by which we must be saved."
- `the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
- it has become the cornerstone.'
Psalm 23 (BCP., p. 612)
1 John 3:16-24
We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?
Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God; and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do what pleases him.
And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit that he has given us.
John 10:11-18 (NRSV)
Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-- and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my Father."
Blog Reflection
I actually love the Fourth Sunday of Easter, among other Sundays and Feasts during the Church Year. I think it is awesome that we get to return to these celebrations year after year to recall what we believe, and to find new opportunities for growth from the point in which we find ourselves.
The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd may seem prehistoric for us in the 21st Century. We are a society of "do it for you here and now" technology, with opportunities for further advancement. These and other achievements give us a sense of self-sufficiency and personal freedom. Why in the world might we need to have a conversation about a shepherd in the age of cell-phones, computers, ATM machines and electronic mail?
The reality is that no matter how great we become at providing the good life for ourselves, there are always those who fall through the cracks. Just as everyone has the possibility of gaining the best of the world, everyone still has the possibility of losing it all and finding themselves at the bottom of the priority list. There is still sickness, death, violence, prejudice and evil of all kinds. Wars and/or controversies that divide communities all over the world, still begin faster than our willingness to work for justice, peace and equality.
Over these past weeks we have seen an all out political, social and religious created war against women. State governments that claim to be "getting government out of people's ways" have passed laws all over the nation that are creating two classes of women. One class of women are those who can afford reproductive health care services, the other are those who cannot. Just this past week, the United States Senate passed the third authorization of the Violence Against Women Act, designed to protect them from domestic abuse. GOP Senator Chuck Grassley wanted the bill watered down, removing domestic violence protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.
Additional violence towards women came by way of the Vatican coming down on the Religious Women who do a lot of good work for the poor and the homeless, while also speaking up about church related violence towards women and LGBT people. Rather than understanding their role as shepherds on behalf of the Chief Shepherd, Jesus Christ who brings unity, peace and equality, the the Roman Churches' leadership misuses their authority by way of religious and spiritual abuse. Many proud and powerful women are speaking out, defending their dignity and integrity. You can read a really good article in the National Catholic Reporter here.
We need the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd today, because of those who use his Name to exercise violence, spiritual malpractice and doctrinal abuse. Jesus Christ, the Risen Lord and Good Shepherd came to lay down his life for the sheep so that we all may now that God accepts and loves us, unconditionally and all-inclusively. If we honor Jesus as a shepherd, then we must know and understand that no amount of discrimination and violence used in the Name of the Son of God is ordained and honored by God. No use of the Bible or Church Tradition to justify social, political and religious based bigotry has any moral basis or mission that honors Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd. On the contrary, to use the Christian Faith as an excuse for oppression and abuse is an example of what Jesus meant when he said: "The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-- and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep."
As with any sheepfold, the one led and guarded by Jesus, the Good Shepherd has many sheep who are different and/or even unusual. Each one has a beauty and purpose, even if they are not accepted by others in the flock. Though other sheep might reject the unusual ones, Jesus loves each of us and cares for all of us as his very own. Jesus laid down his life on the Cross and rose from the dead to give us all the hope of new and everlasting life. That hope is meant to inspire us to do all we can in the here and now to take good care of ourselves. Our Shepherd also calls us to do what we can for other sheep in God's flock. We don't all have to be perfect, white, straight, healthy, wealthy, arch-conservative Bible beaters, male or even Christian. God's sheepfold is inclusive, where each sheep is special and redeemable, with God being the Savior and the ultimate decider of what our real destiny is.
May the Risen Jesus, our Good Shepherd, guide everyone of us to justice, peace and equality for all of God's people.
Prayers
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people;
Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who
calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with
you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever
and ever. Amen. (Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Book of Common Prayer, p. 225).
Gracious Father, we pray for they holy Catholic Church. Fill it
with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt,
purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in any thing it is
amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in
want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake
of Jesus Christ thy Son our Savior. Amen. (Prayer for the Church, Book of Common Prayer, p. 816).
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so
move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the
people of this land], that barriers which divide us may
crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our
divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (Prayer for Social Justice, Book of Common Prayer, p. 823).
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