mamabishop: Fourth Sunday of Easter

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Fourth Sunday of Easter - May 11, 2025

At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly." Jesus answered, "I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one." John 10:22-30

We hear Jesus refer to himself, again and again, as a shepherd, the protector of the sheep. He uses this illustration because folks of sheep and their shepherds were ever present in their daily lives and travels. Few of us have sheep in our daily lives or in our daily travels. We often have some nursery or Sunday school picture of shepherds and sheep - tender, watercolor, pastel images. Raising and protecting sheep is not anything easy. It is a rough life, with dangers all around. Making sure there is food and pasture enough, water enough and enough humans and a few dogs to keep watch in every hour and situation. Jesus is telling us he is that - the one who feeds, finds us pasture and safe spaces as well as protecting us from all predators and dangers. We often scream at God when our lives have hit hard times, but do we notice the days, months and years when we have been kept safe despite our thickheaded and dangerous wanderings? May we praise God today for the safety and protection we receive and which goes unnoticed day after day.

Marvelous Creator, you put us in families

with parents who protect us day in and out

and show us how you love us completely.