He is risen indeed, Alleluiah!

Collect:	Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ is the resurrection and the life: raise us, who trust in him, from the death of sin to the life of righteousness, that we may seek those things which are above, where he reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. *Amen*.
Readings:	Acts 2, 42 - 47
	Psalm 23
	1 Peter 2, 19 – 25 (omit if only two readings are used)
	John 10, 1 - 10

Jesus liked to use everyday events and objects to help us understand what he was like and what it meant to live in his kingdom. Jesus describes himself in such ways as The Door, The Bread of Life, The True Vine, The Living Water.

In our Bible readings today, Jesus describes himself as The Shepherd. In the details of the passage from John’s gospel we begin to understand the life of Palestinian shepherds and why Jesus used this picture to explain his relationship with us and with each other.

Every village in the uplands would have a common sheepfold where flocks of sheep would find shelter for the night, especially in the winter. Stealing sheep was not unknown. Thieves and predatory animals would not usually enter by the gate but, over or through a breach in the wall.

Every morning each shepherd stood at the gate and called his own sheep from the communal flock. Responding only to their own shepherd’s particular call, the sheep filed out to be led away to pasture. Often it was necessary to lead the flock far into the hills to find good pasture. If they were too far from the village to return at night the shepherd sheltered his flock out on the hills in a crude fold with low stone walls. There was no gate, so the shepherd himself lay down across the opening to protect the flock.

What a powerful image this is for us. Jesus wants to emphasise that we need to listen to his voice and then follow him.

We live in a world where there are many voices clamouring for our attention. Voices telling us what we should be doing and how we should be living our lives. Voices telling us how we can realise our dreams, where we will find fulfilment and satisfaction. Many voices, but we need to be listening to his voice. His particular voice.

We need to take time to recognise and hear his voice. In the homily last Sunday we heard about the two disciples travelling on the road to Emmaus. It took a while before they recognised that they were travelling with Jesus. In our busy lives we need to take time out to listen to Jesus as he travels along with us.

Why is it important to listen to his voice? Apart from wanting to be on that right road following Jesus, the road is a difficult one. In Psalm 23 we read that the Lord will lead us to green pastures and beside quiet waters, but also that the road will often be difficult. We struggle along the road in our weakness and make faultering steps. We struggle so much that we are regularly coming to God to ask for forgiveness. However, by walking this difficult road God helps us to grow in our faith. God seeks to transform us through the Troubles that we endure. When faced by trouble don’t ask ‘why me, Lord?’. Say ‘what do you want me to learn from this, and give me the strength and patience to endure it?’.

We get to know the voice of Jesus through a continuous relationship with Jesus and his followers. A relationship like the sheep with the shepherd and with the rest of the flock. This is important. You cannot have a growing relationship with Jesus, and those in the church, unless you spend time with them. Look at the reading from Acts that we had this morning. We see the church devoting itself to teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. By devoting ourselves to such matters, we will discover clarity in what God wants us to do, as a church and as individuals. His voice will become clearer and stronger.

Spend some real time with the ‘shepherd’ and do it often. Also, spend time with one another. Eating, resting together in silence, playing, clustering together and supporting each other in times of danger and need, praying, listening and listening more.

In the words of Isaiah 43:1-2

‘Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and when you pass through the rivers,

they will not sweep over you.

When you walk through the fire,

you will not be burned;

the flames will not set you ablaze.’

Amen.

Alleluiah, Christ is Risen!

He is risen indeed, Alleluiah! Amen.

Adrian Wilson: Anglican Chaplaincy of Midi-Pyrénées & Aude

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