In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
AMEN.
Christ has risen.
Christ has risen indeed!
THE EXSULTET
Rejoice now, heavenly hosts and choirs of angels,
and let your trumpets shout Salvation
for the victory of our mighty King.
Rejoice and sing now, all the round earth,
bright with a glorious splendor,
for darkness has been vanquished by our eternal King.
Rejoice and be glad now, Mother Church,
and let your holy courts, in radiant light,
resound with the praises of your people.
We pray to God the Almighty
for the grace to sing the worthy praise of his great glory;
through Jesus Christ His Son our Lord,
who lives and reigns with Him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
LITURGY OF THE WORD
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Lesson
Acts 2:42-47
Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
Psalm 23 Dominus regit me
1 The Lord is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.
2 He makes me lie down in green pastures *
and leads me beside still waters.
3 He revives my soul *
and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I shall fear no evil; *
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; *
you have anointed my head with oil,
and my cup is running over.
6 Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The Epistle
1 Peter 2:19-25
It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? 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.
“He committed no sin,
and no deceit was found in his mouth.”
When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; 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.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia
Give thanks to the Lord, who is good.
The love of the Lord knows no ending.
All in Israel say,
“God’s love has no end.”
2. The right hand of God raised me up.
The hand of the Lord has triumphed.
I shall never die,
I shall live, telling God’s deeds.
3. The stone which the builders rejected,
becomes the cornerstone chosen.
Praise the work of God
for this marvel in our eyes.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia
By the way – music to these words should be familiar. It’s called “Celtic Alleluia.” So familiar – you might even want to sing it to yourself.
The Gospel
John 10:1-10
Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
THE SERMON Fr. Nelson Gaetz
Not exactly the image of the Good Shepherd we are used to, but probably a lot closer to the reality of the shepherds of Bible times and what Jesus had in mind in the chapter from John’s Gospel today. Sheep are extremely vulnerable creatures. A mighty tasty target for predators. Other than traveling in packs, they really don’t have natural defenses. A parable about humanity? “Your enemy the devil prowls about like a roaming lion…”(1 Peter 5:8)
In spite of our delusions of self-sufficiency, noble character and moral rectitude, we fail miserably when put to the test “Lead us not into temptation...” (Matthew 6:13) Jesus tells us to pray because he knows all too well that when tempted we fail.
There is protection when we travel in packs. Ask any participant in a 12-step program. The addict trying to “go it alone” is doomed to failure. Being deeply connected (traveling) with fellow addicts provides at least the possibility of staying sober. One of my best friends was a recovering addict for most of his adult life. Yes, I said “recovering.” Because the slightest temptation can pull you back down you are always sober “one day at a time.” Recovering, never “recovered.” And, yes, we are “recovering” sinners. That’s why Jesus did not call solo disciples. He called them to travel in a pack. Now we call that pack the church, or more properly a parish or congregation. We really do need one another. That’s why our current social situation is so dangerous. I am not personally familiar with anyone who has died of the virus but I do know one young “recovering” addict who lost his job, got depressed and committed suicide. The loneliest number IS one!!!
So the obvious issue is that we sheep must:
Stay close to the pack. Those letters, cards and phone calls may be the best we can do at the moment but they are important to keep us connected and supported.
AND, we need to be sure we are not getting out of the habit of gathering as church. It won’t be long now before we are able to gather together at 1612 West Genesee Street – even if we are still practicing safe distancing and wearing masks. Think about your friends there often. Spend time thinking about the times we have had together. Foster a longing for being together.
BUT, that’s only the beginning of the message in today’s Gospel. It’s not only about seeking the support and care of a community. It’s really about the care and support of Jesus. He calls himself the Good Shepherd, the door of the sheep fold. Do you know what that means? It means that he lays down his life for the sheep. At the end of the day the shepherd gathers up the sheep into a temporary enclosure. He (or she) then lays down for the night in the entrance to the sheep fold. The only way in. In other words, the wolf gets the sheep over his (her) dead body. Do you begin to see the depth of meaning here? We gather as church to build the community. But we most importantly gather to experience the love and protection of Jesus the shepherd.
We are now at what a preaching professor of mine long ago would call the “so what” moment. Even if everything I have told you is absolutely true it still needs to pass the test of “so what.” What difference does it make? We live at a time when we are acutely aware of the wolves:
COVID-19 virus is all around us. We see it everywhere. You can’t turn on the TV or radio without hearing about it. We dread the phone call that might tell us bad news about friend or family.
Trapped in my apartment, I feel the cold breath of death every day. A for taste of a reality to come.
Society is being ripped apart. Open up commerce! Don’t open us commerce! I have no idea who is correct, but I do know the stress of this debate is causing damage to society that will take a long time to heal.
The wolves seem to be winning. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. So what?
I’ll tell you so what. In the liturgical calendar, we hear this text in the Easter Season. That means we have stood at the foot of the cross – an ultimate wolf win. But then comes Easter. We are told that no matter what – God wins. “I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” That means two things to me:
► Even when they drop my mortal body into a grave, that is not the end. In a way beyond time and space, God wins. Life goes on. I shall live. Not some memory of me. Not some spirit that lingers, but me. The real me. I live. I live with God forever.
► That’s not about some time “by and by.”
But notice Jesus says “have life” and “have it abundantly.” Not “will have,” but “have.” When we believe in God’s resurrection victory power. When we live as if it really is true. NOW. We have life, eternal life. The history of the church is packed full of that kind of believers. Many who believed in the face of death. There have always been wolves. All too often they have appeared to win. Ours is not a unique time.
BUT…
Happy Easter.
Christ IS risen.
He is risen indeed.
AMEN.
THE NICENE CREED
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
THE PRAYERS
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us bow before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Good Shepherd, within your embrace we are safe and secure. Within your embrace we know that we are precious in your sight. Within your embrace we feel the warmth of family and belonging. Within your embrace we grow and are nurtured together as one flock, the people of your pasture under your loving care and protection. Come, let us bow down before the LORD our Maker
Good Shepherd, within your embrace we find comfort and healing. We bring to you those who are weak, or struggling with physical, mental or spiritual health. You are the great healer, and we pray for healing of mind and body for those we now name before you. Come, let us bow down before the LORD our Maker;
Good Shepherd, within your embrace we find strength in all our troubles. As we live within the shadow of death, named in our day pandemic, with all its many dangers we struggle to trust that you are with us leading us into green pastures where we will need not fear. Until that day comes, let us bow down before the Lord our Maker.
Good Shepherd, within your embrace we find justice. We bring to you the brave voices who cry out for freedom, those prepared to stand up and be heard without counting the cost. We pray for those who have been imprisoned or tortured for their race, caste or faith. For all Christians who have taken up the Cross and know its weight and pain. Come, let us bow down before the LORD our Maker.
And so we give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his love endures forever. Amen.
So now we pray with confidence to the Father the words our Lord Jesus taught us.
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name,
thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.
AN EASTER BLESSING
The God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ, the great Shepard of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make us perfect in every good work to do His will, working in us that which is well-pleasing in His sight; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among us, and remain with us always.
Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Amen.
