CHRISTINA BRENNAN LEE: Prayers of the People - Flocking to Jesus, 4th Sunday of Easter

 Sunday April 26 ,2015, Yr B, Readings: Acts 4:5-12, Ps 23, 1 John 3:16-24, John 10:11-18

       The poetry of Psalm 23 speaks to us in the simplest of terms that belie the intricacy of its depth. Jesus would, of course, have known the psalm and it is a perfect pairing to his continuing "discussion" with the religious authorities in this week's Gospel of John. 
       The symbolism in this well-known Psalm is far more complex and fascinating than just the obvious image of a man walking down a country lane with a big staff and a dog, or the pretty girl of nursery rhymes with a bow on her crook as the sheep dutifully follow. Along with the earlier verses in John 10 (which I encourage you to read), taken line by line we can see, feel, and almost hear Jesus, our Shepherd, with us, reviving, caring, comforting, andanointing. Watching over us, preparing our table, restoring us; nothing we need is withheld. 
      Our Good Shepherd's job is never done. The demands on real living shepherds are constant and endless. Sheep are peculiarly needy and helpless creatures, quite restive, and even self-destructive at times. They can stand still for hours or bolt into stampede because an apple drops unexpectedly from a tree. The shepherd must keep continuous vigil against disease, insect infestations, predators, pecking-order fights, escape artists, 
water, and food supplies. Sheep will NOT lie down unless they are completely contented and secure. A special oil mixture that the shepherd prepares and swabs (anoints) around each sheep's head and nose keeps deadly insects from burrowing and causing panic, disease, and injury, and the sheep is calmed for at least a little while. Then there are shearing and lambing seasons...* 
       The sheep know their shepherd's voice and it comforts them. Do we know the voice of our Shepherd? Some days I feel pretty sheepish and need that voice as reminder to get back into the flock. How about you?      

LET US, GOD’S PEOPLE, PRAY

Thanks to People's Prayers, sidebar

Thanks to Christina Brennan Lee

http://prayersofthepeople.blogspot.com/2015/04/prayers-of-people-flocking-to-jesus-4th.html

WELCOME to Saint Alban Episcopal Mission/English, Antigua, Guatemala - IARCA

You are invited to join us for English services every Sunday at Noon in Antigua, Guatemala

Casa Convento Concepcion, Antigua Guatemala, All are welcome.

See welcome letter at the sidebar.

St. Alban English Mission, Antigua, Guatemala is an outreach project of The St. James English parish, Episcopal Diocese of Guatemala, IARCA

Bishop Armando Guerra Soria,  Rector of St. Alban Mission, Bishop of Guatemala and Primate Emeritus of Central America

The Rev. Ricardo Frohmader

Associate Minister

Saint Alban Episcopal Mission

Antigua Guatemala

Country Code 502

2366 0599; 3344 9641