The Smell of the Sheep

Gospel: John 10: 1-10

It would seem axiomatic that a shepherd would be good to his sheep.  Even the motive of self-interest would seem to suggest care for the sheep, as it would benefit the shepherd at market to have all his sheep available for sale or for shearing than not.  But it is precisely the motive of self-interest that Jesus intends to criticize in today's Gospel reading, for it is never a good motive if one seeks to be a good shepherd.

While the self-interested shepherd may indeed want all the sheep available for market, does it follow that he loves the sheep? If danger threatened him and the flock, would the self-interested shepherd give up his own life to save the sheep, or would he instead sacrifice one or more of the sheep for his own welfare?  A good shepherd is known by his actions on behalf of the flock.  

When people cannot find good shepherds they wander about in search of one or give up altogether.  When parishes are closed while the episcopal residence of 7500 square feet is retained...when building campaigns for new residences for clergy take priority over the needs of the people...the sheep know and pray ever more fervently for a good shepherd - one who lives among them and cares for them.  The Lord Jesus is that very shepherd who is at the same time the lamb offered in our ransom.   

Will You Leave Too?

Gospel: John 6: 60-69

The entire sixth chapter of John's Gospel is a foreshadowing of Holy Week in the life of Jesus.  We began this chapter with huge crowds following Jesus wherever he goes, just as what will occur on Palm Sunday.  By the end of the chapter we find everyone abandoning him and Jesus nearly alone, just as we will on Good Friday in Holy Week.  In both cases the motivations are the same.

At the beginning of this chapter the crowds wanted to make Jesus a king so that he might provide bread for them always.  They were looking for a faith that did not require anything of them: the Messiah would do it all and we would just enjoy the benefits.  But as the chapter progresses Jesus speaks of believing in him and eating the bread of life, just as he will tell the disciples at the Last Supper to "do this in remembrance of me."  He was not talking about creating a ritual, but rather in each one of us living and offering our lives for others as he did.  

This is what the crowd could not accept; this is what frightened the disciples and they hid in fear for a time.  It is not enough to accept the mercy and gifts of God; we ourselves must become the mercy and gift of God to others in the world.  To partake of the bread of life, to be in communion with the Lord Jesus is to become Christ in the world.  Our faith invites us to repeat the words of Peter - Lord, to whom shall we go? Or, to quote a modern sage: Where else would you rather be but right here, right now? 

Eating and Living

Gospel: John 6: 52-59

Every human being has life and existence solely through God's love and mercy.  Existence is not owed to us, nor is it anything we earned.  It is entirely a gift of God. Similarly in our redemption from sin which gives us spiritual life: it is given to us all completely as a gift of God's love and mercy.  No one in any way merits this gift of God.

So in partaking of the bread of life, Jesus tells us that through it we have life - life in its fullness of body and spirit.  It is to partake of the redemption of the Lord Jesus and to abide in the life it provides for us.  To have this life is to then manifest the love and mercy of God in the world as well.  To participate in the Eucharist is a pledge to become Christ in the world, to show forth God's love and mercy to others.  

If we do not find ourselves living this love and mercy of God, it is to our blame and fault.  At the same time we should not despair, and we should continue to participate in the supper of the Lord.  Remember Peter and the other disciples: they failed time and again to manifest this love and mercy.  But Jesus time and again invited them to the table and to their credit they continued to accept the invitation.  Over time this food from heaven, these encounters with the Lord had its intended effect for them, and it will be so for us as well.