The Good Shepherd

The Good Shepherd

Easter 4

Sermon preached on 25 April 2010

at All Saints Chapel

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Anyone who has been around sheep for any amount of time, will understand that sheep are difficult animals; and they are not too bright. For example, sheep have really only one agenda in life… to eat. That’s about all they do – they eat. I understand that a sheep will graze, eating grass and walking along, not watching where they are going, and just keep walking and eating. When they come to a pond, they will of course, stop eating long enough to take a drink… but they don’t stop walking. They drink and walk, and drink and walk, until they are standing out in the middle of the pond. When the water touches their stomach, it is then that they realize they are standing in a pond, and because sheep cannot swim, instead of just turning around and walking back, they will panic. They will start bleating and screaming, start thrashing around, and unless the shepherd is there, they will actually drown themselves in 18 inches of water.

Sheep will also walk and eat and walk and eat until they bump into a fence. Then, they will fit their head through a space in the wire, and keep trying to eat. When they realize that they can’t move forward, instead of pulling their head back through the wire, they will again panic, and actually hang themselves in the wire.

And because sheep like to stay together, I understand that when danger comes, they entire flock will start to run; and while running in a panic, hither and thon, they stay together, following the crowd of other sheep, until they actually run off the edge of a cliff. You’d think that when the first sheep ran off the cliff, that the others would see it, recognize the danger, and turn and run the other way… but they don’t. They simply press on, following the flock, running, without any real sense of the danger ahead, and they all tumble to their death.

From what I understand about sheep, they really are not very bright; and if it weren’t for the shepherd - always looking out for them, always taking care of them, and always ready to rescue them, sheep would have no hope at all. In fact, if you think of a shepherd, like the ones we dress up as during Christmas, one of the things that distinguish a shepherd, is their staff… which is simply a long stick with a hook on then end. There is a reason for this… it is a tool that shepherds use to rescue sheep from the pond, from the cliff, from the fence, and from so many other dangers that sheep have a tendency for getting into. A shepherd will take that stick, reach out with it, and grab a sheep or lamb by the neck with the hooked end, and pull them back to safety.

Because sheep are so adept at getting themselves into trouble and into dangerous situations, the shepherd has to constantly be alert, constantly on the look out. Yes, a shepherd does have to keep a sharp eye out for wolves and such, but by and large, the dangers that most sheep encounter are those brought on by their fault. They just keep getting themselves into trouble and the shepherd has to remain alert so he can rescue them time and time and time again.

My friends, we are a lot like sheep… singular in our focus, often not very bright, ready to follow the flock, and getting ourselves into trouble – usually as a result of our own choices – in just the same ways that sheep do.

For example, just like a sheep that keeps eating and walking and eating until it is standing in the pond, or has its head stuck in a fence, we keep doing the same things over and over and over and over, and the result is we keep getting the same thing, over and over and over and over. We wonder why things never change for us, why things don’t improve for us, why things don’t get better or easier for us. That’s because we, like sheep, fail to realize that if we keep doing what we’re doing, we’re going to keep getting what we’re getting. We just can’t seem to make ourselves turn around and go in a different direction and try doing things differently. We just won’t learn.

And just like a sheep that will follow the flock, even if the entire flock is running off a cliff, we too will follow the crowd, doing what everyone else is doing, until it gets us into trouble, or even puts us in danger. We say things like, “Well, everyone else is doing it – why not me too?” What’s funny about this one is that when our kids come to us and say that, often a parent will respond with something like – “Well, if everyone were jumping off a cliff, would you do it too?” And while the teenager may say “no” to that question, we fail to apply the same question to our own lives as adults. We justify our actions by saying things like, “Everyone else cheats on their taxes, why not me?” “Everyone drives faster than the speed limit, why not me?” “Everyone else keeps the extra change when the store clerk makes a mistake, why not me?” Everyone else is doing it, why no me too!

And then, when we get caught cheating on taxes, or breaking the speed limit, it doesn’t matter what everyone else may or may not have done… because we’re all alone facing the consequences. We have to pay the fines; we are the ones who go to jail – not everyone else. We fail to learn that same lesson we preach to our kids – that just because everyone else is doing it doesn’t make it right.

Yes indeed, we are a lot like sheep… going our own way, wandering off into danger, repeating the same mistakes over and over and over again and getting the same results over and over and over again… and always getting ourselves into trouble – and blaming everyone else. Yes, like sheep who face the danger of wolves, there are dangers and disasters out there that come our way too, but these are not the primary source of our problems… most of the problems and difficulties we face in life are a direct result of our own actions, our own decisions, and following our own desires… whether good or not. And when the results of our poor decisions and bad judgment hit us, we panic – just like sheep.

But thanks be to God we have a shepherd who is always looking out for us and who is always taking care of us… and that shepherd is of course, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, is always watching over us, always vigilant, always ready to rescue us despite our bad decisions and poor judgment. He is always standing guard, ready to help us when we end up making a mess of things. And just like a shepherd, he knows his sheep, cares for his sheep, and loves his sheep.

In the Gospel reading for today, Jesus once more that familiar image of sheep as he answers those who demand to know if he is the Messiah – God’s Anointed Messenger. In other Gospel references, he calls himself the “Good Shepherd” and often refers to his followers as a flock. That is where we get the notion of the Church as the Flock of Christ.

Jesus, our Good Shepherd cares for us, watches over us, is ready to rescue us when he hears us calling, and – just like a Shepherd, was ready - and indeed did give his life for his Sheep…. Us… so that we can have the hope of Everlasting Life.

As less than intelligent as sheep tend to be, there is one thing that a sheep does actually learn… and that is the sound of the shepherd’s voice; and many times, the shepherd will call out to his sheep just before they are about to do something stupid, something dangerous, something that could get them lost or in trouble, or even get them killed. He will call out, and the sheep will come running. They know their shepherd’s voice, and almost always respond.

A story is told about how two shepherds had their sheep out in the fields when a storm was blowing up. They herded their two flocks into a cave, and when the storm was over, they realized they had a problem… all their sheep were mixed together into one great big flock… how were they going to separate them? It would take forever. But one of the shepherds walked outside the cave, and made a distinctive sound with is voice, and all his sheep – every one of them – came out of the cave to the place where that shepherd was standing. The other man’s sheep just stood there. A sheep will learn and recognize his shepherd’s voice, and they will respond.

The same can be true for us… for Jesus, our Good Shepherd calls out to us – calls us to embrace him as our Savior… calls us to serve his as our Lord… calls us to follow him as his disciples; and having heard that call, many folks do respond to the sound of his voice – and come running.

But Jesus also calls out to us when we are in trouble, when we are about to do something that will harm us, or harm others. That’s because he loves us, loves us so much that he gave himself up for us, loves us so much that he wants us to know his peace, his joy, his love in our lives. And this is when listening for the sound of Jesus’ voice is so important for us – for we are his sheep.

Sheep learn the sound of the shepherd’s voice because they spend so much time together. For sheep, the shepherd actually becomes the center of their life. So even while eating and walking and eating and walking, if the shepherd calls, the sheep will respond. Even when running for their lives from the wolves, if the shepherd calls, the sheep will respond. Even when they wander off, and get separated from the rest of the flock, when the shepherd calls, provided they can hear him, they will run back to the shepherd, who always, each and every time, accepts them and treats them as if they never went astray. And even when they wander off too far to hear the shepherd’s voice, the shepherd will go out and look for that one lost sheep, calling out for it, until the sheep can finally can hear the comforting, reassuring sound of the Shepherd’s voice - and respond, even it that response is simply bleating as loudly as the sheep can.

The same is true for us. When we spend a lot of time with our shepherd, Jesus Christ – whether in prayer, or in Church, or in Bible Study, we can learn the sound of his voice in our life, because he becomes the center of our life. And when we are wandering off, doing our own thing, or following the crowd, when Jesus calls to us, we will respond – because we recognize his voice. Even when we are faced with dangers and disasters, when Jesus calls out to us, we will respond because we recognize his voice. Even when we wander away, when we stray from his flock, when we get lost in the wilderness of this world, Jesus will look for us, calling out to us, until he finds us. We hear his voice, and we respond, and he welcomes us and accepts us and forgives each and every time, and treats us as if we never went astray… because he loves us so much.

But the key is learning how to recognize our Shepherd’s voice. When we can distinguish His voice, and recognize His call to us, then we have a hope and a help that is there for us all the time… looking out for us, taking care of us, and providing for our every need.

That is what a shepherd does… he takes care of his sheep, he protects his sheep, and he provides for his sheep. That is also why when Jesus went back to his Father in Heaven, he gave to his Church the Bishops, who are the under-Shepherds of Jesus’ flock. In fact, the Latin word for shepherd is “pascere”… which is more accurately translated – Pastor. In Spanish, the word for Shepherd really is “pastor.” We, the Bishops – the Pastors and under-shepherds of Christ’s flock - have been given the responsibility, not as hired hands, but as true shepherds, to care for and protect and provide and love for Christ’s Sheep… in the same way Jesus – our Good Shepherd, our Good Pastor himself does.

And it is the Pastor’s job to call out to the sheep, in Jesus’ name; and lead the sheep to hear Jesus’ voice, and to recognize Jesus’ call. A true Bishop and true Pastor does not want the sheep to follow him by recognizing his voice; but rather, a true Bishop and true Pastor will train the sheep to hear and recognize Jesus’ voice – so that they will follow Christ – not themselves.

That is what I try to do as your pastor and your bishop. It is not about me, or what I want, or what I think you should do… it’s all about Jesus and what he wants and what he thinks you should do. My job is to love you, accept you, extend forgiveness to you, and point the way to knowing and experiencing the Good Shepherd – Jesus Christ.

And when danger or disaster comes, I call out to you in Christ’s Name. When people go astray, I call out to them in Christ’s Name. And when someone wanders off, far away from the flock of Jesus, I call out to them, searching and hopefully rescuing that one sheep in Jesus’ Name. And the Church is supposed to accept and forgive and treat even those who wander away, with the same love and acceptance and forgiveness that Jesus has for us.

But it comes down to each and every one of us learning the sound of Jesus’ voice, and then listening for it when he calls out to us, so that we can be saved from dangers, saved from disasters, and especially – saved from ourselves and our own devices and poor decisions.

Let me ask you… do you spend enough time with Jesus so that you can recognize the sound of his voice? Is Jesus calling out to you today, because you are in trouble, or facing difficulties, or made some poor choices in your life, or even because he wants you to do something special for him? Do you hear his voice calling you? Then let me invite you to respond to that voice - that loving, gentle voice of our Good Shepherd – who is constantly saying to us – “I Love You!” - and let it begin to make a difference in your life.

Let the voice of Jesus our Good Shepherd be the sound you listen for most, the voice you listen to most, and the voice to which you respond most; and if you do, it can and will change everything.

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

A New Way to be Catholic

People stop and ask me all the time - "So... just what is a FREE Catholic Church anyway?"

Simply put... we are Christians who celebrate our faith in the historic Catholic way and tradition. Many folks are surprised to learn that there is more than one branch and expression of Catholicism in the world. We are just ONE of those branches and expressions, descended from the Old Catholics of Europe. We are not part of the Roman Catholic Church, nor under the jurisdiction of the Pope; however, being descended from the "Old Catholics," the historic relationship we have with Rome, which spans centuries, lends itself to recognition by the Vatican as being validly Catholic. This validity makes it possible for us to offer a valid alternative to Catholics and others, who, for one reason or another, have been displaced or disenfranchised from the Church.

Catholics today want a Church that is traditional, yet modern and progressive enough to meet the demands of our changing world. They want a Church that not only proclaims God’s love and forgiveness, but also demonstrates that same love and forgiveness to all people by welcoming them without penalty and without prejudice.

It’s sad, but many Catholics are not welcome to receive the Sacraments because they made a “mistake” in their life which "disqualifies them from full participation in the Church. For them, it’s often no Communion, no Baptism, no Marriage, and in some cases, not even a Catholic Funeral. Yes, they could apply for annulments and special dispensations, but then may have to pay and then wait – sometimes for years – before they have full access to the Sacraments.

Also, many Catholics today are frustrated by many of the outdated and outmoded ideas, like celibate Priests, no birth control, all the scandals they see in the news, and much more. They love the Church, love its Liturgy and Traditions, but wish too that the Church could find a way to modernize and speak to the needs of today's world.

The United Free Catholic Church provides these folks with an alternative that is indeed validly "Catholic" in every respect. We embrace the Apostles' and Nicene Creeds as our statements of Faith; celebrate the Seven Sacraments; gather for Mass every Sunday and on special Holy Days; and believe in the real and actual presence of Jesus Christ in the Holy Communion.

Also, as stated above, we trace our heritage and ordinations through the Old Catholic Churches, which have enjoyed complete recognition by Rome for centuries. While we may not be part of the Roman Catholic Church, it must be clearly stated that we are not trying to undermine the authority of the Roman Church, nor are we trying to "compete" with our friends in the Roman Church. Quite the contrary! We regard the Roman Church with great respect and love as our brothers and sisters in Christ - including the Bishop of Rome, the Pope. Our mission is however, to reach out in love to those, who, for whatever reason, are not attending Church or receiving the Sacraments. We see ourselves as a sort of "Half-way House," providing a valid alternative to those whom we are able to "restore" to the life of Grace and Sacramental Faith. In fact, because we have helped get things straightened out for many individuals and families - including weddings and baptisms, several families have been able to return to a Roman Catholic Parish, without much difficulty at all when they leave the area.

And... even though we are not part of the Roman Catholic Church, and not under the direct jurisdiction of the Pope, the Vatican itself has recognized Churches like ours as being validly "Catholic" even if we are not in perfect communion with Rome. In the historic document entitled “Dominus Iesus”, signed by the Pope, the Vatican declares...

"These Churches which, while not existing in perfect communion with the Roman Catholic Church, remain united to her by means of the closest bonds, that is, by Apostolic Succession and a valid Eucharist, and are true particular Churches. Therefore, these separated Churches and communities as such, have by no means been deprived of significance and importance in the mystery of salvation. For the spirit of Christ has not refrained from using them as means of salvation which derive their efficacy from the very fullness of grace and truth entrusted to the Catholic Church."

The United Free Catholic Church does indeed meet these criteria, because our Clergy (Priests and Bishops) are validly ordained in this Apostolic Succession which traces its lineage all the way to the Apostles - beginning with Saint Peter; and we provide valid Sacraments, which are "recognized" by Rome.

So we are indeed a recognized and valid alternative for Catholics – as well as Protestants who want to return home to the Church. Yes... I said Protestants! That's because about 50 percent of our families come from Protestant traditions who feel that something has been missing in their faith expression. They feel intimidated about going to a Roman Church, or again because of "mistakes" in their lives, feel they may be disqualified from "converting." When they discover the Sacramental Life, History, Heritage, Traditions, and the absolutely SCRIPTURAL way we do things in the United Free Catholic Church.... they soon are begging to be a part.

If you are interested in learning more, drop me a line or visit us at the United Free Catholic Church. May God bless you on your Journey of Faith.

Gone Fishing - Easter 3C

Gone Fishin’

Sermon for Sunday 18 April 2010 - Easter 3C

(John 21:1-14)

By: The Rt. Rev. Mark W. Leavell, Th.D.

Bishop, Diocese of Virginia

Preached at All Saints Chapel, Diniwddie, Virginia

In the Name of the Father, and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Well, Spring is here. The temperatures are warmer, the skies are sunnier, and the days are getting longer. Isn’t it wonderful! And that means that Summer can’t be far behind.

With the arrival of Spring and even Summer, it’s time to get out and enjoy this warmer weather. It’s time to get out and do some yard work, or go for a walk, or have a cook-out or take a picnic. It’s even time to get the fishing tackle ready and maybe start to do a little fishing.

Now, I like to fish. It’s a great leisure-time activity. I haven’t done as much fishing in recent years as I would perhaps have liked to; but hopefully, I will be able to remedy that this year; because a bad day fishing is better than a good day at work.

In today’s Gospel Lesson, we read where Peter tells the other disciples that he was going fishing. And on the surface, that sounds like a really great idea. After all, the disciples were fishermen by trade. All their lives, they had made their living catching fish. Sure, during the previous 3 years, they had left everything, including their careers as fishermen, and had followed Jesus. For 3 years, they traipsed around with Jesus, listening to his message, watching him perform miracles, experiencing Jesus on a personal and daily basis. For three years, Jesus had filled their lives, and they were content to live like that forever, so long as Jesus was with them. So long as they could be with Jesus. So long as they could experience him as they had every day for three years.

But then, he was crucified. He had been killed, and that changed everything. Sure, he was alive again… he was raised from the dead… they heard what the women had said on that resurrection morning. They saw the empty tomb. Jesus had even appeared to them on two separate occasions, in the upper room where they were locked up, hiding in fear. Thomas had touched him. Mary Magdalene talked with him. There were reports all over Jerusalem that Jesus was alive… and the Disciples, including Peter had all seen him alive.

But something was different now. They weren’t experiencing Jesus the same way as they had before the Crucifixion. They were not experiencing him each and everyday, all day long as they had in the past. They weren’t traipsing around with him, eating and sleeping and talking and laughing with Jesus all day every day. And the result was they were frustrated, and their enthusiasm had begun to slip. They were just hanging around, going through the motions because they just didn’t have that same feeling they had when they first started following Jesus.

And that is what happens to so many folks in our world too. When the first experience Jesus, when they make those first steps of faith – they are all excited. They are enthusiastic. They come to church, volunteer to do this or that, talk about their faith and their church all the time. That’s because they are experiencing Jesus every day. They are walking and talking and laughing and sharing with Jesus each and every day. They are on an emotional high. They feel great! But then, after a while, that feeling starts to change. They gradually begin to miss Sunday School… then Church… then they aren’t doing as much as they once did. It all becomes a chore, an obligation. Or when the stop praying and trusting God completely, and the real life problems we all face start to look bigger, or there’s even a crisis – they start of flounder and fade and slip back to where they were. They say things like, “Well, the Church doesn’t seem quite the same.” Or “Things feel different.” Their enthusiasm has slipped, and eventually they either change churches looking to recapture that same feeling they had at first, or they just simply drop out all together. Their faith – like the disciples – was based on feelings, not facts. It was an “emotional experience” instead of a faith bases “Religious experience”; and the result is a crisis of faith – because faith based on feelings is no faith at all.

That’s exactly where the Disciples are… a crisis of faith because nothing seems quite the same now. SO, what were the disciples doing? They were just hanging around… waiting for the next time that Jesus showed up. They were just hanging around doing nothing, and waiting for the next time they would experience Jesus, waiting for the next time they would have that great feeling they once had when they first started following Jesus.

So Peter decides, that if that’s the way it’s going to be, if Jesus is only going to appear once in a while… if they were only going to experience Jesus once a week, or once every few days, then they might as well go back and do what they know… they might as well go fishing. And the other disciples agree, and decide to go with him.

But what was Peter and the disciples supposed to be doing? After all, as I have said, they HAD traipsed around with Jesus for 3 years. They HAD heard him teach. They HAD heard Jesus tell them that he was going to make them fishers of men… AND they HAD experienced Jesus after his death… which should have ratified as true, everything they had experienced during the past 3 years. It should have made the difference for them. But instead, they were just hanging around, kind of feeling sorry for themselves, and instead of doing what Jesus had already told them to do, they decided that they just might as well go fishing – go back to what they knew. They still didn’t quite get it.

So they go, and spend all night out on the water… catching nothing. As the morning approached, they saw a man on the sea shore… who asked them if they had caught anything. He asks them “Do you have any fish?” In the KJV it says, “Do you have any meat?” And the way this question really is presented in the Greek, is “Do you have any food?”

What kind of question is that? Well, it is exactly the same word that Jesus used in John 4:32, when he said to the Disciples that he had food that they didn’t know about.

This is important, because this time, just like before when Jesus asks if they have any food, he was talking about was spiritual food. Remember during his temptation, when the Devil tried to get Jesus to convert stones to bread, to which Jesus said, “Man does not live by bread alone, but by the Word of God.”

So, the food that Jesus is talking about is spiritual food… and in both cases – the disciples didn’t have any. Despite the miracles, signs, promises, teachings, and even his resurrection, the Disciples were still starving to death spiritually – because they had only looked at all this spiritual food that Jesus had provided – they hadn’t taken any of it, eaten any of it, digested any of it, and the result is these disciples are weak, confused, discouraged, and start to backslide because they are malnourished and even starving to death spiritually. And that is what happens to us too! So many folks who come to Church – even faithfully – are starving to death spiritually, because they look at the food, smell the food, see the food, and hear the food – God Word – presented, taught, and preached – but don’t actually take any for themselves, they don’t digest the food that God has provided for us – and that food is the Word of God. And when you combine this with the casual approach to Mass and Church and Spiritual things, and aren’t feeding on the Sacrament of Christ each week, the result is a weak, confused, discouraged, disgruntled, frustrated, and even backsliding kind of Christian, because they are malnourished and even starving to death for lack of Spiritual Food.

So this man sitting on the seashore who asked if they have any food, tells them to put the net out on the right side of the boat… and when they do, they catch a whole net full of fish. It was at this point that John recognized the man on the beach as Jesus, and he yells out to Peter, “It’s the Lord.”

Oh my goodness… wouldn’t you know it… that just when you least expect it… just when you’re not in the place you’re supposed to be, and not doing what you’re supposed to be doing, Jesus shows up!

And there’s Peter, the ring leader of this backsliding great fishing expedition… standing there with almost no clothes on!

Reminds me of a story of a pastor who made a house call one afternoon: he knocked on the door, and no one answered. He could hear people inside, so he knocked again. After a third attempt, he decided to leave, so he took out one of his cards, and wrote a note on it which quoted Revelations – “Behold I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears me, I will come in.” He stuck the note in the door and left. On Sunday after mass, the ushers brought the pastor a note that was in the offering plate, which turned out to be his own card with that quote on it… but added to the card was a quote from Genesis 3, which said, “I heard your voice in the garden, and hid myself, for I was naked…”

So there’s Peter – instead of fishing for men, he’s fishing for fish! He’s standing there in the boat with hardly any clothes on, and Jesus shows us! He quick grabs his coat, and jumps into the water… while the others struggle to bring the fish to shore.

Peter is not – nor the others for that matter - are where he is supposed to be… he’s not doing what he is supposed to be doing… and he’s acting more like a heathen than the disciple to whom Jesus said he would build his Church.

I can’t tell you how many times in my work as a Pastor that I’ve had a similar experience…. When I go to the store, for example, and someone who has not been to Church for a while, not done what they said they would, or has not been faithful as they could or should be, when they see me coming, they tried to hide, try to avoid me, try to escape – just like Peter. And when I do actually run into them, they start hiding behind excuses– just like Peter jumping into the water. But… if we are doing what we are supposed to be doing, and are in the place we’re supposed to be – there is no fear of being seen, no fear of being greeted by the Pastor or anyone else. We don’t have to fish for some excuse – no do we have to jump into the lake to hide… BUT when we know we’re not right… then we’re filled with fright because Jesus just is now in sight!

When the Disciples to get back to shore, they gather around Jesus who takes some of their fish, cooks it, and he serves the disciples breakfast. He then talks to them, and reassures them that despite their fears, frustrations, crisis of faith, and backsliding, he is still there for them. And even though we didn’t read it, Jesus tells Peter – now – Go feed my sheep! Stop kidding yourself, stop feeling sorry for yourself, start feasting on the spiritual food I have provided you, and get out there and start doing what I want you to do… feed my sheep, build the church, proclaim the good news to everyone.

And that is the way it works here at All Saints. Everyone is welcome here… even those who come and go. Even those who backslide. Even those whose faith is based in feelings and they struggle week to week in their journey. My job is to welcome them, serve them, and – like Christ – love them and help them discover a fact based faith, and encourage them to do what Christ wants them to do. To exercise their talents and gifts for the good of the Church, the welfare of others, and the glory of God and his Kingdom.

This lesson from the Gospel is supposed to remind us that we all will struggle in our journey – but if we will recognize the Lord – and not allow our pride or self-pity get in the way, we can continue to experience Jesus each an every day.

So if you’ve been struggling recently, if your enthusiasm has waned some, if you just don’t "feel" what you once did, or even if you’ve decided – like Peter – to just go fishing – then let me invite you to cast your net on the right side of the boat, let the blessings of God fill the net of your life, come back to shore, and feast on the goodness of God and Christ. Come and dine with Jesus regularly, and you will indeed grow in your faith.