April 21, 2024
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 21, 2024
The Rev. R. Allan McCaslin
Readings: Acts 4:5-12; Psalm 23; I John 3:16-24; John 10:11-18
From John’s first letter to the Church, “… let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” I speak to you in the Name of God our Creator, risen Redeemer, and sanctifying Sustainer. Amen.
At this past Wednesday evening’s Eucharist and Healing service, we were challenged by St. Matthew’s understanding of Jesus as Shepherd. In Matthew Chapter 18, we hear the parable of a shepherd who has a hundred sheep, but one has gone astray. So he leaves the ninety-nine in order to go search for the one that went astray. And upon finding it, he rejoices as he brings it home.
That story has spoken to my heart ever since and even more deeply now that we have come to today’s scripture readings. See, typically, the Fourth Sunday of Easter is referred to as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because of its focus on God as our Shepherd. And I find that to be a comforting image – almost idyllic – as the very mention of the word Shepherd suggests gentle pastoring of equally gentle sheep. But there’s more here.
See, here’s an amazing thing about Sheep: Healthy sheep are peaceful, confident, and at ease with who they are. They are the source of food and more than anything else, healthy sheep bring forth more sheep. However, sick sheep are territorial and aggressive. They are easily angered and defensive, so they tend to fight among themselves. Oh they look beautiful from a distance, but like Kudzu which looks so pretty and green, their appearance hides the reality that they are choking the very life out of those around them. In today’s gospel reading Jesus says that good, healthy sheep not only know their master’s voice but follow that voice wherever it may lead. I find that message intriguing given that we are entering a new chapter in the life of this parish, a time of transition, a time of deep listening for that Shepherd’s voice and direction, and when considered within that context of the ninety and nine that Matthew spoke of I wondered if all of these texts are an invitation to consider that perhaps God is calling us to not only meet the physical needs of our communities, but their emotional and spiritual needs as well. That is food for thought but I wonder how and where we could begin? To that end, let’s look more closely at today’s scripture lessons.
Both the Gospel according to John and according to Luke describe Jesus as the Good Shepherd and yet, what differs in John is that Jesus is described as more than a Shepherd. If we were to read the first 10 verses of Chapter 10, we would find that, different from Luke, Jesus says he is not only the Good Shepherd, but also, the gate and gatekeeper.
John describes Jesus as controlling the gate – the doorway- the gateway – not to keep predators out per se, but rather, in order for sheep, for us, to gain access to safety, to enter the sheep pen – a metaphor for the Church – and then, calling each of us by name, Jesus leads us back out into the world; into our communities. He leads us away from our places of comfort – places that tend to foster complacency with the status quo - so that, in leaving our pasts behind, and like Israel wandering in the Exodus wilderness, we will learn to trust in God, trust fully in God. And in trusting God, we will find, as the Psalmist says, green pastures that hold an abundance of fresh water. This is a metaphor of God’s promise to lead us into a better place – a place we thought not possible – a place of blessing, new growth, vitality and good health. But getting to that place of blessing requires that we listen for, and then respond to, that Shepherd’s voice – and everything that Shepherd has said. It means being willing to step away from the security of our glorious past as a parish, and trust that God is very much in control of our destiny and wants only the absolute best for us, wants to bless us now and even more in the future.
Peter, in today’s reading from Acts reminds us that blessings no matter how many or how few we encounter are never for our own sole benefit. They must be shared outward to and with our communities and that such sharing must always be Christ-centered. Peter reminds us that when people speak of Holy Cross and say, “look at all that you have done and continue to do for those in need” - we must tell people that it really wasn’t us, but rather, all this was accomplished through the very power of God in Jesus Christ who has changed how we choose to live: For he is the source of all that we have done and all that will continue to be done in and through this place. The Good Shepherd, who has called each of us by name, urges us to remember that he has also called our neighbors as well, and that we must go forth to not simply call them, but truly know them and always welcome them by name. Our Gospel reading and our reading Acts affirm our need to not only listen for, but recognize the voice of our Shepherd and then follow it – follow it by demonstrating everything that Shepherd said, showed us, and taught us.
Yet, again, I wonder where we might start. Our Epistle reading offers some insight. This text from John’s first letter to the Church recalls our Maundy Thursday service in Holy Week. On that night we heard our Lord’s command to love one another as he has loved us; to wash one another’s feet; to serve and be humble enough to be served; to love as God in Christ has loved us. And if that wasn’t challenge enough, now, John clarifies how that love is manifest in practical ways and I think it important to consider that how within the context of our lives today.
We know that society today is drifting away – perhaps running away - from organized religion, and many say they desire an opportunity to experience a relationship with God but from outside and away from the trappings of organized religion. We might remember a recent Pew Research Foundation report that forty-five percent of Americans want absolutely nothing to do with the established church because, by their experience, an abundance of churches speak of their love of and for God and how God loves everyone and yet they do not care about what happens to their neighbors let alone the rest of the world. As John’s first letter asks, “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 to help?” I venture to say that those who have walked away from the Church are asking the same question.
You know, when he was still Mayor of Newark NJ, now Senator Corey Booker is reported to have told a group of faith leaders he had gathered, “Before you speak to me about your religion, first show it to me in how you treat other people; Before you tell me how much you love your God, show me how much you love all (God’s) children; Before you preach to me of your passion for your faith, teach me about it through your compassion for your neighbors. In the end, I’m not as interested in what you have to tell or sell as in how you choose to live and give.” That is what John’s letter to the Church is talking about. That is what Peter is saying in our reading from Acts. That is what Jesus is describing in his metaphor about shepherds and sheep. See, people today whether young or old - our neighbors - are pleading for the Church and for all people of faith, especially Christians, to start living the promises we affirmed in our Baptismal Covenant; promises that welcome them, not judge them; promises that rejoice the heart, not grieve it.
John says that words and speeches are nice, but the proof of our love for God – the proof that will make a difference in the hearts, the minds, the lives of everyone we meet – the realized and active redemptive love of Christ working within us – is demonstrated in how we live. John says, “Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” And the Good Shepherd forever calls the Church to action, calls the Church to do what is right at all times; to seek and demand justice; to speak up when something is just not right; to insist that all persons be treated with fairness, dignity, and respect, and to seek out and welcome those who have walked away. Why? Because mercy, grace, forgiveness, equity, justice and fairness are not simply nice ways, they are God’s ways.
And, beloved, when God’s people embrace and demonstrate God’s ways, even the most lost of the sheep, sheep who have walked away – some in disgust and others with broken hearts – those lost sheep will come home and take their welcome place at this table once again. That is what happens when God’s people listen for and then truly follow the voice of the Good Shepherd: follow it wherever it may lead; follow it in times of transition and times of rest, for in listening and acting we and everyone we meet – friend or stranger -will find blessing, new hope, and new life. That is the promise and truth of God, and should be, must be, the promise and truth of God’s people.
“Let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.” God grant us the grace, the patience, and the will, so to do. Amen.