25 April 2010

Welcome to  St Alban’s Anglican Church  

Today's Scripture: Acts 9: 36-end                  Revelation 7: 9-end                   S. John 10: 22-30

Today: 8.35 a.m. Matins; 9.00 a.m. Church School; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist; 6.00 p.m. EP. This Week: Tues-Fri 12.30 p.m. Midday Prayers; Sat (SS. Philip and James) 12.30 p.m. HC

Next Sunday: 8.35 a.m.; 9.00a.m. Church School; 9.30 a.m. Holy Eucharist ; Annual Church Meeting; 6.00 p.m. EP

3^rd Sunday after Easter – & S. Mark’s Day

Almighty God, who shewest to them that be in error the light of thy truth, 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: HIS MASTER’S VOICE

Sometimes in our religious practice we seem to have all the symptoms of Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). We become distracted easily, we find it hard to concentrate, we allow ourselves to go off at a tangent and, most of all, we think we are listening when really we’re not.

In his gospel John quotes Jesus as saying that he is the Good Shepherd whose sheep listen to his voice. And, clearly, if the sheep are to benefit from the shepherd’s experience then they have to listen to where he is directing them.

Most of us would accept that what God is trying to say to us can be found in the bible. Some might go further and say that when the bible is proclaimed in our liturgy then God is actually speaking to us here and now. We would probably accept too that the teaching of the Church is another way of knowing what God wants to communicate to us. But are there other ways of listening out for the shepherd’s voice?

Christ, the Good Shepherd, speaks to us through other people. When we come across others we see the face of Jesus reflected in them, for they like us are made in God’s image and likeness. Yet sometimes we see them only as physical beings rather than as mini-words of God, as glimpses into the divine. Do we hear the voice of God in other people?

What about the events of our daily lives? If we are finding things hard financially, it may be because of the recession. But do we ever think that God’s voice may be prompting us to ask about whether we’re in the right job, using our talents to the full, managing our lives and money properly? Conversely, if we are doing really well, do we consider that we deserve a good pat on the back or do we instinctively bless God for our prosperity? And when we hear of natural disasters such as recent earthquakes do we jump on the bandwagon of “How can a loving God allow such a thing?” or do we learn anything about our own lives and those of others by looking deeper at the consequences of what has happened?

How do we listen for the shepherd’s voice?