May 15, 2011
4th Sunday of Easter
Where do sayings come from, like "lord love a duck?" (The Holy Name Duck Race must be on my name!) "Lord love a duck" can be traced back to James Joyce in Ulysses and to T S Eliot. It's origin and meaning are obscure. Today Jesus uses a figure of speech "Good Shepherd" and applies it to himself. The meaning of this metaphor or simile in relation to God and us lies deep within Jesus' Jewish faith. David, the shepherd boy and future King, sings of God as shepherding the people of Israel in Psalm 23. The prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel) utter oracles of God shepherding and, in contrast, of kings, religious leaders and false prophets who fail to shepherd the flock. Jesus daringly and dangerously takes this image with accompanying divine attributes unto himself in Chapter 10 of the Gospel according to John: "I am the Good Shepherd." The image of God as Shepherd is both enduring and endearing. Our first depiction of Jesus in art is Jesus as the Good Shepherd. Today, perhaps everyday, we should read Psalm 23 -- only six verses. How often do we get lost and wander? How often are we hungry and thirsty for meaning and purpose, for healing and for forgiveness. "Shepherd me Oh God beyond my wants, beyond my fears, from death into life."
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3rd Sunday of Easter
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5th Sunday of Easter
