Brian’s Reflection: The Weekend, Sat, May 14, 2011

The sheep follow him [ the Good Shepherd] 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, in the Gospel called John, chapter 10 (Easter IV A RCL)


[ The full text is found here: http://www.io.com/~kellywp/YearA_RCL/Easter/AEaster4_RCL.html ]


I am sure that you realize that one can justify/rationalize ANYTHING from anybody’s “Holy Scriptures”.

Let’s take something that Jesus is recorded to have said: (a) “Peace I give unto you” (b) I did not come to bring Peace but a Sword”. The Gospels are full of such inconsistencies ….. or should we call them “inconsistent interpretations” ….. by the various communities that grew up around the phenomenon of Jesus? Anyway, it should be crystal clear that any group can use the Scriptures of any religion to justify their positions.

Which points to the point: IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF US HUMAN BEINGS TO CHOOSE THOSE CRITERIA BY WHICH WE DEFINE THE ESSENCE OF HUMAN LIFE AND THE PRINCIPLES BY WHICH WE SHALL LIVE.

So: just think of the issues that arise! Are we essentially Good or Bad? Does God punish? Is there a physical Hell or Heaven? You can go on extrapolating forever.

The Question that the Readings for Easter IV A RCL raise is: What IS the authentic voice of Jesus?? of “the Good Shepherd”? “The Family” (Google them) thinks that it is the voice of power and privilege to the powerful and the rich. To many of us, it is the Voice of the Compassionate Jesus who associated with the underprivileged. The List could go on forever.

But let’s not forget one thing: Jesus made His final statement about what it was all about to His followers at the Passover meal before He was killed” ~ “Love one another as I have loved you”.

As far as I am concerned: the “Voice of the Good Shepherd” is about Unconditional Love ~ Love without Judgment based on personal prejudices, fears, or delusions.

That is the voice that I follow. That of the Good Shepherd.

Brian+