Musings for Easter 4

Sunday, May 15, 2011
Fourth Sunday of Easter

Musings by Karen Grover

INTRODUCTION
Today is sometimes called "Good Shepherd Sunday." Jesus is called the "gate" of the sheep in today's gospel. The risen Christ opens the way to abundant life. He anoints our heads with oil and guides us beside the still waters of our baptism. Each Sunday he spreads a feast before us in the midst of the world's violence and war. We go forth to be signs of the resurrection and extend God's tender care to all creation.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (ELW)

O God our shepherd,
you know your sheep by name
and lead us to safety through the valleys of death.
Guide us by your voice,
that we may walk in certainty and security
to the joyous feast prepared in your house,
through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.

FIRST READING

Acts 2:42–47

Today's reading is a description of life in the community following Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was outpoured on God's people. This new community is founded on the teachings of the apostles and sustained in the breaking of the bread.

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
⁴³Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All who believed were together and had all things in common; ⁴⁵they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. ⁴⁶Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, ⁴⁷praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

PSALM (ELW)

Psalm 23

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. (Ps. 23:1)

¹The LORD ^| is my shepherd;

I shall not ^| be in want.

²The LORD makes me lie down ^| in green pastures

and leads me be- ^| side still waters.

³You restore my ^| soul, O LORD,

and guide me along right pathways ^| for your name's sake.

⁴Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I shall ^| fear no evil;

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff, they ^| comfort me. R

⁵You prepare a table before me in the presence ^| of my enemies;

you anoint my head with oil, and my cup is ^| running over.

⁶Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

all the days ^| of my life,

and I will dwell in the house of the ^| LORD forever. R

SECOND READING

1 Peter 2:19–25

Doing the right things does not guarantee that one will not experience difficulties, hardships, rejection, or even suffering. Here Christ is presented as the model for our path of endurance and loyalty to God, particularly in the midst of adversity.

¹⁹For it is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. ²⁰If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. ²¹For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
²²"He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth."
²³When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. ²⁴He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
²⁵For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

GOSPEL

John 10:1–10

Jesus uses an image familiar to the people of his day to make a point about spiritual leadership. Good shepherds bring people to life through Jesus, but those who avoid Jesus are dangerous to the flock.

Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. ²The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. ³The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. ⁵They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers." ⁶Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
⁷So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. ⁸All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. ¹⁰The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

MUSINGS

For me this is a very comforting Gospel reading. Jesus, as the gatekeeper, is inviting and welcoming. We as His sheep hear His voice and follow Him and can "come in and go out and find pasture." We are blessed with a life of abundance when we walk through His gates. But with that abundance also comes the call to serve others and share that abundance.

There is a communal effect in the image of being a part of His flock of sheep. It makes me think of our walking up to the altar for communion as a church community. We gather in church to hear His word and be guided into a week of serving. Our shepherd who has just hung on the cross, died for us and was raised to life is calling us to follow Him. Why would we not listen to Him and follow?

LET US PRAY:

· that we follow our shepherd's call

· that we lead a life of service as we are called to do

· for our youth who answer His call to serve

· for the farmers that their pastures can soon be worked

· for abundant proceeds for Habitat for Humanity

QUOTE "Blessed are they who hear the Word of God and keep it."