For Sunday, May
3, 2020, Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 23, 1
Peter 2:19-25, John 10:1-10
Those who had been baptized devoted
themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread
and the prayers. [Acts 2:42]
The
LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want. He makes me lie down in green
pastures and leads me beside still waters. He revives my soul and guides me
along right pathways for his Name's sake.
[Psalm
23:1-2]
But
if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God's approval. For
to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you
an example, so that you should follow in his steps...When he was abused, he did
not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten...by his wounds you
have been healed...For you were going astray like sheep but now you have
returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls. [1
Peter 2:20b-21, 23, 24b-25]
Psalm 23 is, without doubt,
the best-known piece of Scripture in the world among multiple religions,
denominations, and sects, for the believers, and for those who have no faith
affiliation or belief. The poetic language ascribed to King David, a shepherd
in his youth, gives us the most pastoral image available as it draws us
line-by-line to how the everyday activities of actual shepherds* describe in detail how God cares for us.
It is also true that
sometimes the familiar is too comfortable and we don’t really hear the phrasing
as we repeat syllables by rote. We aren't always contemplating the meaning and call to personal
response and action behind them. We must listen again with fresh ears, minds, and
hearts. The beauty and comfort of the Shepherd in Psalm 23 is easily zoned in
on while the other readings are more easily left behind. But even this calming pastoral
narrative comes with a price. We who want to know ourselves as true and
faithful Christians must rouse ourselves from complacency, listen for the
Voice that calls, and then follow, in earnest and in confidence. All we
"have" on this earthly plain is temporary, which has never been clearer
than in this current time of rampant pandemic.
For Episcopalians/Anglicans, the reading
from Acts this week is infused with one of the promises made by us or for us in
our Baptismal or Confirmation Covenants: "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching
and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers..." The statements
of belief and the promises of the Covenant are a quick refresher and guide to
the basics of true Christian living, and always worth reviewing regularly,
whether or not you are of this denominational heritage and practice. [for more
information click here: BCPonline for the US
version of the Book of Common Prayer - Holy Baptism - and scroll to pages 304-5
for the promises]
Of course, these times make the actions of in-person fellowship
and the breaking and receiving of sacred bread beyond our reach for the moment.
Yet there are still ways to be together-in-distance. As we break bread for our
meals each day, let us remember to say a simple “grace” as we sit down to eat. Prayer
and the Apostles’ teachings are always readily available to us, and most of us
can meet and greet each other in many other ways by mail, phone, a quick email,
or online chat. One way to pray is by using Psalm 23 aloud and inserting the
name and specific pronouns of others, especially those who are the most
isolated and afraid, such as, “The Lord is Margaret’s shepherd, she shall not
be in want…” Think about printing it out in that form and mailing it to someone
in great need to connect, and re-read/pray it often for yourself.
In the lesson from
1st Peter, we are given the difficult and all-too-current reminder that although we are to suffer
what we must, as Jesus in his Passion, we are not to return abuse in kind. We
are to realize that by the wounds of Jesus we are healed as we were going astray like sheep, but...have now returned... Somedays are easier than others with political fervor at
high pitch. Yet the Gospel also carries the Shepherd theme and comforts us with
another serene image, that of Christ as the divine Gate that opens for all of His sheep to have salvation in a safe, and abundant pasture.
Let us not go astray like sheep but flock together through the open Gate, to dwell with the Lamb of God now and forever.
Let us not go astray like sheep but flock together through the open Gate, to dwell with the Lamb of God now and forever.
*I commend to you a charming and interesting little
book, A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23 by W. Phillip Keller, for an
eye- and soul-opening look at the amazing connections between the Psalm's
imagery and real-life sheep farming.
LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY
Leader: ~ Shepherd
of our Souls, our Holy Gate, Your calm pasture is always open to us for
spiritual shelter and encouragement. As You know us each by our names, kindle
our desire to hear Your voice deep within us and follow Your call to salvation
and abundant life.
By Your blood we are reconciled
RESPONSE:
By Your wounds we are healed
~ Shepherd
of our Souls, as you stood peaceably in front of the political authorities of
Your mortal time, grant us courage and confidence to peacefully and
persistently urge leaders of this Country, this Community, and this World, to
legislate safety, economic compassion, and equity for all people. We pray especially for: Donald, our President; Tom, Chris, and Lisa, our
Members of Congress; John, our Governor; Matt, our County Executive; and Mike,
our Mayor.
By Your blood we are reconciled
By
Your wounds we are healed
~ Shepherd
of our Souls, anoint the hearts, restore the hope, and give rest from anxiety
to all who are suffering in any way, and especially for those risking their own
lives to give care. We pray for those in need…
By Your blood we are reconciled
By
Your wounds we are healed
~ Shepherd
of our Souls, we entrust the souls of all who have left this life to Your care,
knowing that they now dwell in the light of Your House forever. We pray especially for…
By Your blood we are reconciled
By
Your wounds we are healed
~ Shepherd of our Souls, we pause in this moment to offer You our
other heartfelt thanksgivings, intercessions, petitions, and memorials…
By Your blood we are reconciled
By
Your wounds we are healed
~ Shepherd of our Souls, our pastoral shepherds, as Your
representatives in our time with glad and generous hearts, strive by an
increasing variety of ways to bring You to us, through the Apostles’ teaching,
prayer, and continually evolving options for fellowship. Through Your goodness
and mercy, grant them peace, comfort, and stamina to continue Your work among
us. We pray especially for: Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Kevin our
Bishop; David, our Rector; Lloyd, our Rector Emeritus; Emily and Peter, our
Associate Priests.
By Your blood we are reconciled
By
Your wounds we are healed
The Celebrant adds: O God
of Highest Heaven, we are welcomed always into Your mystical pasture, to live
and thrive on the Divine Bread of Life, Christ Jesus. Awaken us again, in this
time of travail, to follow You along the right paths to enter the Holy Gate of Eternal
Life, in Your glorious and infinite kingdom. We ask this through Jesus the
Christ, our Guardian and Shepherd, and the Holy Spirit, Sanctifier of our
souls, who together with You, reign as One God, forever, and through all
eternity. Amen.
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