April 25, 2010

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FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER

Shepherd

Please read

John 10:22-30

Read also

Psalm 23

Acts 9:36-42

Revelation 7:9-17

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon.

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly."

Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep.  My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me.  No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand.  The Father and I are one."

Shepherd

I don’t know much about sheep.

According to popular conceptions

sheep are thought to be dumb, stupid, gullible,

timid, fearful, easily panicked;

loyal to a point, but easily misled.

I don’t know; maybe it’s true, maybe not.

But fitting that description,

I’d say that I’d have to be classified as sheep.  

How about you?

I don’t know much about sheep,

but I know the Shepherd.

I know his claim. I know his promise.

“My sheep hear my voice.

I know them, and they follow me.

No one will snatch them out of my hand.”

And a timid, stupid sheep like me

needs a Shepherd like that.

So stupid or smart,

timid or bold,

cowardly or courageous,

I’ll follow him

Into green pastures

beside still waters

and through every death-shadowed canyon,

assured that no evil will come my way,

for he is with me, protecting me.

And so, I’m confident

that at life’s final threshold,

I will be welcomed into the fold

Forever.

--- rvc