John 10:7-17

Read

John 10:7-17 (NRSV)

7So again Jesus said to them, 'Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. 9I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. 11'I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away-and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. 13The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. 14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, 15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 16I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

Think:

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice so there will be one flock, one shepherd.  

My mom always says that life would be boring if we were all the same, that's why there's chocolate and vanilla she says.  But when Jesus is talking about different folds becoming one flock I don't tend to think about those who like chocolate and those who like vanilla, or even the goats and the sheep of Matthew's gospel, but I think of all the different ways that religion has interpreted life, ethics, and the universe.  One of the greatest arguments I've been subject to  with friends and family who are as we say in seminary "unchurched" is their question of how do you know that your faith is founded in something real. And they do have a point, after all unless you have studied all the religions how could you know what is the best fit for you.  And then even if you studied all the religions you would have to delve into all the sects with in the religions to know what denomination would be best for you and then which congregation would be best for you right?  I have always kind of struggled with that question because I don't have that kind of faith, I don't have that kind of determination.  Yes I did leave the Episcopal church for a time, yes I did go the evangelical route, then I went the agnostic route for a while but neither of those fit.  I studied Buddhism and Confucianism and Islam academically but not theologically and I couldn't find a place in those folds.  But I think, the next time someone asks me this I will reflect on this passage and my mom's thoughts on ice cream and say- you know what you are right, rationally I should want to explore other faiths, and traditions, try all the different flavors of faith until I find the perfect combination, but I've found my favorite fold.  I'm proud to be an episcopalian.  I am happy to be where I am and sometimes I'll go in for some Moravian, Lutheran, or Roman catholic worship, and I'll celebrate sabbath with my Jewish friends and fast if invited with my Muslim friends, but I'll go back to my liturgical common prayer for my daily meals.    Its all good though because Jesus is the shepherd who will bring us back together eventually even though when we travel this earth we are in different folds, we will come together as one large flock after life is over. 

Prayer:

Dear God, ruler of all things on heaven and on earth.  Help us to remember that we are all part of the same flock even though we are separated by artificial means.  Remind us that this body is temporary that skin and flesh and opinion are transient and that our faith in you is what connects us one to another and that regardless of what we call you, you know us by name and you love us for who we are not what we do.  I ask this in the name of your Son Jesus, and your Spirit our advocate. Amen

Contemplation:

I am lucky if I can meditate 5 minutes today without falling asleep.  First day of General ordination exams is done, and I am exhausted.