Blessings to you on The Good Shepherd Sunday and the beginning of the end of our Easter journey.
Our invitation to worship was reaffirms Jesus being the shepherd of God’s people and that Jesus is there for all people as leader and guide. Our first lesson from the Acts of the Apostles was Peter’s resuscitating Tabitha in Joppa and the miracle that convinces people that God is in touch with all. The Psalmist’s refrain was the beloved 23rd Psalm and the picture of God providing comfort in troubling times. The New Testament reading from the Revelation to John sings the song of Christ as shepherd of God’s people, leading all to their imagined relationship with God. Our Gospel from John is a story of the doubting leaders of the temple doubting Jesus is exactly what Jesus says he is. Jesus tells them that his works should be convincing enough to prove his divinity.
Our life of faith is the balance of our imagination about what God can do and what we know God promises to do with the prayers and community we participate in. We need to be convinced that God will do what God promises to do – to lead us in the way we need to go to help God’s work get done in the world. How are we called to pray for God’s guidance and our ability to remember that God leads us where we need to go? We know and pray that God’s providence will lead us to the fulfilling place where God wants us to reside. Who is the one who needs to receive the hope of God in the imagination of our relationship with God?
I invite your comments,
Les+
Readings: Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23; Revelation 7:9-17; John 20:22-30.
Sermon link: https://audiomack.com/fatherles-2/song/easter-4-sermon
