Scriptures & Reflection Questions for April 13

4 Easter; Year A
April 13, 2008
Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary

How to use this page:

Print this and read a different passage each day and think about it. Some questions are offered to help stimulate your reflection. You'll find your experience of worship on Sunday will be intensified.

For a method to read and pray with the scriptures you might try to use the ancient practice of Lectio Divina (Divine Reading). I've written some instructions on how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link: Lectio with Scripture (http://www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html)

If you would like to comment on these scriptures or have some on-line conversation about them, please go to the scripture blog www.sundayscriptures.blogspot.com and click the "comments" button at the bottom.

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.
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Collect
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.
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The Scriptures
Acts 2:42-47
Psalm 23
1 Peter 2:19-25
John 10:1-10


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.
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Note the connection with this first verse and one of the questions in our Baptismal Covenant -- "Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?" (BCP, p. 304) How do you live up to that promise in your own life?

Note that the early church community practices a form of communal ownership -- holding all things in common, selling their possessions and giving to all as they had need. What do you think about that? Is there a way to justify capitalism from a Christian perspective?
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Psalm 23 Dominus regit me

The Holy One is my shepherd; *
I shall not be in want.

You make me lie down in green pastures *
and lead me beside still waters.

__You revive my soul *
and guide me along right pathways for the sake of your Name.

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.

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.

Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, *
and I will dwell in the house of God for ever.

St. Helena Psalter
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What does this beloved psalm mean to you?
How does it take on new significance in a different translation from the King James' Version?
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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.
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When have you been wronged -- when have you suffered unjustly?
What happened? How did you learn to live with that loss?
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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."
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How do you know the voice of the good shepherd? How can you tell the difference between the voice of the shepherd and the beguiling voices of the thieves and bandits?