Joining me on the journey and reflections for the way.
You can find the lectionary texts for this week here.
This fourth Sunday after Easter is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday, and all the readings have some kind of a connection with that theme – although in the Acts reading the theme of sheep and shepherd is a bit obscure.
Each of these readings offers us some rich ground to reflect on, and since this Sunday we are joining with World Vision and Julia Grace for our gathering (at 10am) our conversations will naturally be focussing on the message Julia Grace shares with us and in all likelihood this won’t be based on the lectionary readings.
So, may I suggest that you read through all the texts for the week and then see which one draws you back or stays with you…then you can return to this one text and read it with the same slow reading method from last week.
Some questions to dwell with
Acts 2 – there’s an idealistic harmony to this description of the early church with everyone eager to learn from the disciples, attentive in prayer, and delighting in simple and uncomplicated worship; there is compassion embodied in grateful, open handed and generous sharing of resources; the group is welcoming and accepting of new members who are added daily; signs and wonders are manifest as God’s presence and activity among them… what is an appealing aspect of this community to you? How are you experiencing that now? What does your longing and attraction to this tell you or invite you to or ask of you?
Psalm 23 – this beautiful image of the Good Shepherd who leads and guides, who is watchful and vigilant, who provides, comforts and accompanies, affirms and blesses is so familiar and at the same time, is also an image that is far removed from our actual lived experience. We are not shepherds, and the way sheep are farmed in our country is very unlike this description. We get the idea, of course, and we’ve had our own experiences of being led, fed and so on, just as we have experienced fear, loss, uncertainty, resistance, denial, rebellion etc. etc….which part of the psalm seems most near to where you are now? How are you experiencing God’s presence and action in this place? How would you say the psalm….is there an image or metaphor that fits for you in place of Shepherd?
You may enjoy listening to this song.
1 Peter 2 – This passage offers reflections on how to endure suffering, and why it matters how we respond to suffering. The basic underlying theme is to imitate Christ – to be turning to Christ and looking at Christ so that, as we let that compassionate gaze fall on us in our inmost being, we are (slowly and over time) formed by the love of Christ for us and for all. This is what we return to each time we find we are going astray and this is who we return to – the good, lovely, beautiful one who is a guardian of our souls…how have you experienced this dynamic of imitating, returning, letting love hold you? How are you experiencing this now? How has suffering formed you and your responses to those who inflict suffering? What does this passage seem to be asking of you, and how do you respond to it?
John 10 – Jesus the Christ is the gate, and the shepherd. He knows his sheep, and they recognise him. He calls you by name and lays down his soul for you, so that you may have fullness of life. He’s not in it for the money or the glory – he’s all in for love. What speaks to you in this passage? What does it tell you about yourself, your longings or fears? Is there a sentence that catches your attention, and if so, write it out and pause with it. Where are you at with this? What is catching you – resonance or resistance? How might you express this idea or thought in your own words? How have you experienced it? What does it mean for you?
Blessing
May God be a bright flame before you,
be a guiding star above you,
be a smooth path below you,
be a kindly shepherd behind you,
be open arms to receive you –
today tomorrow and for ever.
Amen.
