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Gospel Lesson for the
Week
April 13, 2008
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Please
read
Read also
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
I Peter 2:19-25
"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. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the
sheep.
The gatekeeper opens the gate for
him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads
them out.
When he has brought out all his own,
he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice.
They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do
not know the voice of strangers."
Jesus used this figure of speech
with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again
Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen
to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in
and go out and find pasture.
The thief comes only to steal and
kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
---
John 10:1-10
.
SHEEPCARE
.
Not given to sheepcare
or animal husbandry
and unfamiliar as I am
with ancient customs
in the
Middle East,
I puzzle and ponder
over Jesus’ allusions.
It’s comforting to know
that even those close to
him
and to that time and
place,
had trouble understanding,
causing him to change his
figure of speech.
And there is comfort too
knowing that even learned
scholars
differ on the setting
and the meaning of the
words.
But back to the text.
Mixing his metaphors,
Jesus describes himself
first as the gatekeeper,
then as the gate,
and later, as the chapter
unfolds,
as shepherd.
And while the meaning
may at points be obscure,
three things are clear to
me.
I need a sheepfold,
a corral of comfort,
where I can find safety
and companionship,
I call it church.
I need a gatekeeper
to police the entranceway
to my every thought and
action,
and to bar the door into
myself
to all that would break in
and steal.
I call him Spirit
I need a shepherd
whose loving, intimate
care
will insure my protection,
so that I may fear no
evil,
whether by the still
waters, or
through death’s shadowy
vale.
I call him Christ.
It’s good to know
that in my sheeplife,
wayward and
unfocused as it is,
the Shepherd
stands by the gate,
guarding my goings and
comings,
my guarantor of life,
life that is abundant,
assuring my protection
and his love.
I call him Savior.
---
rvc
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