The Honest Shepherd
Good evening brothers and sisters,
Can we trust the news which we read and hear to be real and true? How should we deal with the fast developing, self-created artificial intelligence? Who should we trust? Is Jesus the Good Shepherd or is he a wolf in sheep's clothing? Is God, is Jesus, truly honest and sincere with us?
Let’s take a closer look at the word “honest”.
Definition
According to the Dictionary, dictionary.com to be more precise, the word “honest” means: “truthful; ethical, fair, not lying or cheating. For example: “She’s an honest person” or “He has an honest face” or “give me your honest opinion”. “Honest” also means, truthful, moral and just, respectable and humble. Of the many synonyms, one adjective in particular caught my attention: trustworthy! I would like to use this adjective as a bridge between the biblical texts found in today’s Readings. Let's begin with our First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles (2: 14a, 36-41).
Bible Lesson
Have Peter and his friends gone completely nuts?? Are these the same disciples who should have supported their friend in his deepest human crisis, his hour of need, and are now risking their necks with statements accusing the Jews of killing God? They are In Jerusalem, and the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) is being celebrated; It is exactly 50 days after the Passover, that is, seven weeks and one day after Passover. Everyone in Jerusalem is on their feet. There are two reasons for celebrating:
First, they commemorate the giving of the Torah, the 10 commandments, the Decalogue, that Moses brought down from Mount Sinai on his second trip. That is truly a reason to give thanks to God.
Secondly, the Jews celebrate the grain harvest of early summer. The grain and first fruits have been brought in. This was a second reason to give thanks to God. And it was on this very day when Peter and his friends gave witness to their faith in the crucified Christ. So why all of this change? It would appear that these “so-called” friends of Jesus are not very credible.
From Deminished Hope to Indestructible Hope
I do not know how much Peter and his friends suffered in their deep despair after Jesus' death on the cross. I do not know what remorse or self-reproach they struggled with. I sense from their statements that this is someone who has been deeply, emotionally affected. Their numerous experiences with the earthly Jesus, with whom they celebrated, prayed with, and experienced miracles and much more. Their experiences with the risen Christ and finally the power of the Holy Spirit, which they received on the feast of Pentecost strengthen them so much that they are now able to bare witness to the foundation of their indestructible hopes:
Jesus is the Saviour and the Redeemer – now and forever
In our Second Reading from the First Letter of Peter (2:23), he says this of Jesus: "When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.” Here, Peter points to Jesus - and Jesus who himself lives in the most intimate relationship with his heavenly Father.Is Peter now trustworthy and therefore credible? For me, yes, because all of the dyes of Peter’s strengths and weaknesses have been revealed.
The Good Shepherd Knows
Is Jesus trustworthy and therefore credible when he says this about himself (John 10:14):
“I am the good shepherd - I know my mine and mine know me.”
Jesus knows Peter (Mt. 26:34) “You will deny me three times.”
Jesus knows the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:18): “For you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true.” Jesus knows the thirst that this woman is longing for.
And Jesus knows me, Kurt, a person in need of redemption because I am not always able to love God and my neighbour as I should.
I believe and I am convinced that Jesus Christ did not come into the world to steal, slaughter, and destroy like a common thief or robber. No, Jesus says (John 10:10), "I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."
Dear Friends
It is credible: Christ Jesus is the Good Shepherd. He is the one who leads us in the right direction and gives us strength to face the challenges of life.
HE goes ahead of us, HE goes ahead of his church.
He is always by our side, even when we sometimes cannot feel it.
On Good Shepherd Sunday, we celebrate our Patron. It is a celebration that reminds us we can come together as a community and with God's help, seek and find the right path. It is a celebration of joy and gratitude because we know that we are safe in God's hands. It is more than credible to testify to Jesus as the crucified and risen Son of God. It is more - because God gives us everything we need for life, He gives faith, hope, love, and forgiveness through him, with him, and in him.
Praised be He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Jesus has risen! Hallelujah, Hallelujah.
He has truly risen, Hallelujah, Hallelujah!
Praised be Jesus Christ. Now and forever - Amen.