“Proclaimed” by Phil Russell

 

“Proclaimed” by Phil Russell

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Piety

“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.” 1 Peter 2:20-25

Study

“Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.” (John: 19:1-10)

Action

“Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice,  and proclaimed.” (Acts of the Apostles 2:4, 36-41)

+ “You anoint my head with oil” +

+ Psalm 23 +

There is a lot going on in these Scripture readings we hear and study today.

So, let’s look back at the past three SUNDAY Gospel reading: they all take place in the Season of the Resurrection. But, today, this Gospel, is taking place at an earlier date in Jesus’s ministry, the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah).

Jesus has just healed the man who was born blind, (poor sheep)!

Jesus learns that the man whom he healed, who gives (his) testimony in the temple is thrown out by the leaders. Jesus just has declared that: “I came into this world for judgment, so that those who do not see, might see, and those who do see might become blind.”

The “blind guides” say: “who me?”

Jesus, on his way to Jerusalem.  The Lamb of God is shepherding the flock. He is everything, that the Psalmist declares.

Over the past weeks, Passion Sunday through the Easter narratives, we have seen the culmination of His reason for “becoming” human, to teach, lead, suffer, die and rise from the dead.

To bring us, the sight so that we can “see” the Father. (Worship)

Now here is Peter, along with the Eleven shepherding this flock. Didn’t Jesus restore Peter’s soul, fill him/ them with the Promise of the Holy Spirit and send them out.

WWJD?

We see.  We hear.  We know what He would do.

We see Peter and the Disciples “doing” Jesus.

It just fascinates me how we move from the Passion Narratives, the Resurrection (including Lazarus own resurrection) to come to this.

(Your Name, do you love me? Feed my sheep, my Sheep, my lambs.)

He anoints their heads, just as He washed their feet. He gave them a mandate, to go and do likewise!

Here we see, the Shepherd, leading Sheep through the Gate, and sending them forth to do, likewise!

Where do you fit in this Easter Season narrative?

Sight restored?

Blind guide?

Follower?

Or do you turn and run? The days aren’t so different “those” “religious” “people” left Blind!

The man born blind received sight, and worshipped!

Lazarus, brought back to life, got his grave cloth untied. Worshiped!

Peter, got his courage restored. Worshiped!

It’s all about coming to worship!

Can we like Peter, stand up in these times and days of COVID-19 and declare: “Christ Is Risen?”

That’s not just a happy little greeting we offer on one particular Sunday.  It is our declaration, of Faith!

+ “The Lord is my Shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.” +

+ Alleluia “+

+God Be Praised +