13 April 2008

This Week: Tues to Fri 12.30 p.m. Midday Prayer.     Tues 5.30 p.m. Church Council meets.

Almighty God, who shewest to them that be in error the light of thy trith, to the intent that they may return into the way of righteousness: grant unto all them that are admitted into the fellowship of Christ’s religion, that they may eschew those things that are contrary to their profession, and follow all such things as are agreeable to the same; through our Lord Jesus Christ.

FAITH IN FOCUS: MOVING THE GOALPOSTS?

Where are the boundaries of the sheepfold? Jesus promises us safe lodging within the sheepfold but warns us that we must enter through the main gate, which he himself is. To get in any other way is to cheat, he says.

But how do we know whether we are entering through the main gate or getting in cheap through some hole in the fence? Do the parameters of the sheepfold change from age to age? Are there some things that are now right which used to be wrong? How do we decide which sheep Jesus would allow through the gate? How can we tell whether it’s his voice we’re listening to or just the voice of our present generation?

The Christian Church has to struggle with this problem. For example, there is widespread division among the Anglican communion over the lawfulness or otherwise of homosexuality. In Catholic circles there are those who are seen to be backing off the Church’s stance regarding divorce and remarriage. In some of the Free and Independent Churches there is a sizeable split about the morality of stem-cell research.

Are these issues set in stone? Are they unchangeable? And how do we decide what will get us in through the sheep-gate and what will keep us out? Does it all boil down to my own personal private morality? But what if I go to Church every week yet actively support the proliferation of nuclear weapons? What if I don’t take the pill but also never give anything to famine appeals? What if I work on the parish council but never read the bible? What if I claim to care about the poor but never vote in a general election? Will these things allow me through the door of the sheepfold?

Getting into the sheepfold is a metaphor for living a God-directed life to the full. It’s not that Jesus stands there like some nightclub bouncer, refusing entry to those who don’t have the right dress code. Rather, it’s about whether our actions (private and public) produce the more abundant life for ourselves and others. Sometimes we have to look closely to make sure we’re not just moving the goalposts to make life easier but not better. And this means asking ourselves some deep questions about the way we are leading our lives. For Jesus wants us not only to have life, but to have it to the full.

WORD OF GOD

Anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way, is a thief and a brigand. (John 10:1)

WORD FOR TODAY

In the rough and tumble of daily life, whether at home or at our place of work, how do we make out the voice of the Shepherd calling us? Where are our signposts that point us in positive directions? Do we have a sheepfold whose value we recognise or do we wander all over the place?

ALL TRUTH, wherever it is found, belongs to us as Christians. (Justin Martyr)

NO TRUTH can really exist external to Christianity.

(John Henry Newman)

TRYING TO PERSUADE a committed Christian to give up their religion is like trying to persuade someone not to have brown eyes. Eventually it’s in their genes.

(Lisa Howell)

EASTER WEEK’S BIBLE READINGS:

Mon: Exodus 32: 1-14, Luke 2: 41-end, Ephes 4: 1-16

Tues: Exodus 32: 15-34, Luke 3:1-14, Ephes 4: 17-end

Wed: Exodus 33, Luke 3:15-22, Ephes 5:1-14

Thurs: Exodus 34:1-10, 27-end, Luke 4:1-13, Ephes 5:15-end

Fri: Exodus 35:20 - 36:7, Luke 4:14-30, Ephes 6:1-9

Sat : Exodus 40:17-end, Luke 4: 31-37, Ephes 6:1-9

NEXT SUNDAY (4^th AFTER EASTER): Acts 7:55-end, 1 Peter 2:2-10, S. John 14: 1-14