Scriptures and Reflection Questions for Sunday

Scriptures and Reflection Questions
Easter 4, Year B
April 29, 2012
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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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Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary
Year B
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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).  We've written some instructions on
how to use Lectio with the Sunday Scriptures at the following link:
www.stpaulsfay.org/id272.html

We use the Episcopal Revised Common Lectionary.
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Acts 4:5-12
Psalm 23
1 John 3:16-24
John 10:11-18

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Acts 4:5-12

The day after they had arrested Peter and John for teaching about Jesus and the
resurrection, the rulers, elders, and scribes assembled in Jerusalem, with Annas
 the high priest, Caiaphas, John, and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly
family. When they had made the prisoners stand in their midst, they inquired, "By
what power or by what name did you do this?" Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit,
said to them, "Rulers of the people and elders, if we are questioned today because
of a good deed done to someone who was sick and are asked how this man has been
healed, let it be known to all of you, and to all the people of Israel, that this
man is standing before you in good health by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth,
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead. This Jesus is

     `the stone that was rejected by you, the builders;
          it has become the cornerstone.'

There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given
 among mortals by which we must be saved."

___________

How do you think Peter's speech was received?
Where do you see conflicts between the church and its witness of healing and advocacyand the powers or authorities?

______________________________________________

Psalm 23   King James Version

The LORD is my shepherd; *
     I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; *
     he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul; *
     he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his Name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil; *
     for thou art with me;
     thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

Thou prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; *
     thou anointest my head with oil;
     my cup runneth over.

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

___________

What verse in this beloved psalm particularly speaks to you?

____________________________________

1 John 3:16-24

We know love by this, that he laid down his life for us-- and we ought to lay down
our lives for one another. How does God's love abide in anyone who has the world's
goods and sees a brother or sister in need and yet refuses help?

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And
by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before
him whenever our hearts condemn us; for God is greater than our hearts, and he knows
everything. Beloved, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have boldness before God;
and we receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commandments and do
 what pleases him.

And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jesus
 Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. All who obey his commandments
abide in him, and he abides in them. And by this we know that he abides in us, by
the Spirit that he has given us.

____________

How do you lay down your life for others?  How do you help those in need?
What does it mean to say that "God is greater than our hearts"?
____________________________________

John 10:11-18

Jesus said, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the
sheep. The 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. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for
the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the
 Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 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. For this reason
the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No
 one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it
down, and I have power to take it up again. I have received this command from my
 Father."

____________

What does this image of the good shepherd mean to you?  How is Jesus like a good
 shepherd?

What does he mean when he says, "I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold?"
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On most weekdays I send a Morning Reflection  to this same list, offering a thought
about the readings from the Daily Office.

Lowell

The Rev. Lowell Grisham
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Fayetteville, AR

The Mission of St. Paul's Episcopal Church
is to explore and celebrate
God's infinite grace, acceptance, and love.

Our Rule of Life:
  We aspire to...
     worship weekly
     pray daily
     learn constantly
     serve joyfully
     live generously.

Check our website: www.stpaulsfay.org