Sunday Meditation: The Voice of the Good Shepherd

Sheep factored prominently last week but they are even more front and center on the Fourth Sunday of Easter.  Every Fourth Sunday of Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday.  Every Fourth Sunday of Easter we get a reading from the tenth chapter of John’s Gospel with the stipulation that each year it’s a different part of the tenth chapter.  In Year A, we get John 10:1-10 with Jesus being the “gate” to the sheepfold.  You can read about it here.  In Year B, we get Jesus claiming to be “the Good Shepherd” in John 10:11-18, and you can read about that here.  Today in Year C, Jesus tells us that all who hear His voice follow him.

 

Jesus said:

“My sheep hear my voice;

I know them, and they follow me.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.

No one can take them out of my hand.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,

and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

~Jn 10:27-30

 

Today’s main homily will be from Fr. Tim Peters who connects the Good Shepherd to the Old Testament metaphors of the shepherd and contrasts with the very poor shepherds in Israel’s history.

And so, Christ’s voice says: “Hear, O Israel, the LORD is our God, the LORD is One.  You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be upon your heart.” 

Today is also Mother’s Day, and Fr. Sam French, the Average Shepherd as he calls himself, has a homily that combines the Good Shepherd Sunday with Mother’s Day!

 

Actually, isn’t a mother just like a shepherd?  I think so.

 

Sunday Meditation: “My sheep hear my voice."

 

For Mother’s Day, I am going to stray from a hymn and embed this beautiful country song by Anne Wilson and Hillary Scott, “Mamas.”  

 

Here are the lyrics to this heart-tugging song.

 

Mamas

[Verse 1: Anne Wilson]

I don't know why God made one-bedroom apartments out of state

I don't know why He made hometowns if it's somewhere I can't stay

I don't know why He made growing up but I guess that we're all gonna

Yeah, I don't know a lot of things but I know why God made mamas

 

[Chorus: Anne Wilson]

For the open arms to fall into

For the when you don't know what to do

For the phone call sayin', "Don't forget, I'm always in your corner"

For the heart that makes a house a home

For the knowing that you're not alone

For the "Darling, don't you dare give up even when you wanna"

Yeah, that's why God made mamas

 

[Verse 2: Hillary Scott]

For putting band-aids on a scrapеd up knee and wiping tears away

For picking up the piecеs when that dream don't go your way

For always giving more than taking, always knowing what ya need

And showing you that fighting's always best done on your knees

 

[Chorus: Anne Wilson]

For the open arms to fall into

For the when you don't know what to do

For the phone call sayin', "Don't forget, I'm always in your corner"

For the heart that makes a house a home

For the knowing that you're not alone

For the "Darling, don't you dare give up even when you wanna"

Yeah, that's why God made mamas

 

 [Post-Chorus: Anne Wilson & Hillary Scott]

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh, oh-oh-oh-oh (Oh-oh-oh-oh)

Mamas, mamas

 

[Bridge: Anne Wilson & Hillary Scott]

I don't know why God made living life down here so hard to do

But I know why God made mamas 'cause He knew I needed you

Oh-oh, oh-oh

 

[Chorus: Anne Wilson & Hillary Scott]

For the open arms to fall into (To fall into)

For the when you don't know what to do (Know what to do)

For the phone call sayin', "Don't forget, I'm always in your corner"

(I'm always in your corner)

For the heart that makes a house a home

For the knowing that you're not alone (Not alone)

For the "Darling, don't you dare give up even when you wanna"

Yeah, that's why God made mamas (Mamas)

 

[Post-Chorus: Anne Wilson]

Oh-oh-oh-oh-oh (Mamas)

Oh-oh-oh-oh (Mamas)

(Mamas)

Mm-mm-mm (Mamas)