One thing about preaching is the need to immediately move on to the next week’s texts as soon as you finish preaching Sunday morning. The complete texts of the readings for this week can be found here. This Sunday is sometimes referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. The Gospel lesson each year comes from John 10 and Psalm 23 is the Psalter each year on this Sunday. I invite you to comment on the readings and my notes. Feel free to make your own remarks in the comments section. Ask questions. Tell stories. Share illustrations.
Acts 9:36-43
Psalm 23
Revelation 7:9-17
John 10:22-30
The first lesson is about Peter being called to the bedside of Dorcas/Tabitha, a disciple who had just died in Joppa (modern-day Jaffa). Dorcas is a disciple who has poured herself into the work of the Gospel by doing “good works and acts of charity” (Acts 9:36, NRSV). Specifically, she was known for the clothing she made for the poor. Peter prays for Dorcas and she is brought to life.
The final verse of this reading mentions that Peter stayed in the home of Simon the Tanner, which is quite remarkable of itself. Tanners and Fullers often worked with public urinals to collect what they needed for their work.
The Psalm of the day is the familiar 23rd. The focus of the day is on the very first verse, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1, NRSV).
The second lesson is Revelation 7:9-17. Verse 17 reads, “the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (NRSV).
John 10 is broken up over the three year cycle of readings on the Fourth Sunday of Easter. For year C we have verses 22-30. In this section belief is connected to being a part of the Lord’s flock. Those who are in the flock will recognize the voice of their Shepherd and follow him.
Additional Materials
Dyeing and Tanning in Classical Antiquity
Good Shepherd, Good Sheep
1 comments:
What struck me today is how completely God meets our needs. While references to hunger and thirst are sometimes interpretted as a euphemism for spiritual voids, I believe that our physical needs are met through God's providence. In this passage, there also is reference to His spiritual providence, in that He will lead us to streams of living water. Finally, we read of His emotional providence, in that He will wipe away our every tear. It is comforting to know that our "Good Shepherd" cares for us on every level, and will supply our physical, emotional, and physical needs!
My other comment is more lighthearted, though it is quite sincere. I am reminded of how dumb sheep are! They can't be trained, they don't learn lessons from experience, and they are lost and helpless when left on their own. They repeatedly wander off and have to be herded back to the fold, and they must have a shepherd to guide them and keep them from harm. (I think of how a large group of toddlers are--running off here and there, touching things they shouldn't be in to, requiring the same instruction over and over again...) I am certain that for these reasons, sheep must frustrate the shepherd. What a wonderful analogy of us as Christians! ;)
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