We again hear about the Acts of the Apostles, as we will throughout the Easter season. I now think of this as the “Season of the Holy Spirit” because the focus is on the acts performed by the apostles with the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ name.
Peter begins our Sunday in front of the Sanhedrin in defense of himself and his teaching. Peter and John have been arrested because the Sanhedrin was upset about their teaching about the Resurrection of Jesus. Peter is responding to a question posed by the Sanhedrin asking by what power they cured the crippled man who sat outside the Temple gate daily.
Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone.”
This particular Sunday of Easter is often referred to as “Good Shepherd Sunday” because of focus of the Gospel message. In the Gospel according to John, Jesus illustrates for us the parable of the Good Shepherd. Jesus says a good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep and contrasts that willing sacrifice of LOVE with a shepherd who is hired for money to watch the sheep. The hired man who sees the wolf coming will leave the sheep and run away. “This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.”
When I read this Gospel it occurred to me that is a very interesting point to meditate on in our lives. What is the driving force behind what we do? Is it love or is it money? Is it mercy, or is it for our honor?
Our life experience is one that mandates working for money to pay for our food, clothes and housing. It is a fortunate person indeed who can say they work at a job they love and as a bonus they are paid! Most of us do not have the luxury of working only for the sake of accomplishing a job well done, or feel that our employment is a call to service by God. But all jobs must be done and I for one am thankful every day that there are folks willing and able to do some of the most unpleasant jobs like pump septic systems. What a filthy nasty job, but so necessary to maintain good public health. Someone has to do each job. If all you are concerned with are money, prestige and luxury then you would be the hired shepherd who abandoned the flock when they needed your protection most because, in the end, all you care about is the money, not the quality of your work and consideration for others your work helps.
As much as being a doctor, or a nurse, or a teacher, or a priest, or a nun are considered “callings” all jobs are callings by God for us to fulfill a need in our society. Any job you can think of you can also see how it benefits society in part or on the whole. I am an accountant. Not everyone enjoys or is particularly good at doing accounting. The job I do helps the companies for which I work. If I do a good job it makes other people’s jobs easier too. Having a company remain in business provides jobs, services and products. I do what I can to make sure the company I work for remains a going concern. So, if my job is what I am called to do, I should do it for the praise and glory of God. Not for my praise and glory. The same is true for being a parent, or a student, or any work you do, including household and gardening. There is purpose greater than money behind all of our actions and it is that purpose we need to latch onto and work on behalf of. That purpose is God, and being the Good Shepherd like Jesus. And going back to what Peter said to the Sanhedrin, all the good deeds that we do are done in the name of Jesus who was the stone rejected that became the cornerstone on which we build our church and our lives!
This week’s Psalm is Psalm 118: The Stone Rejected You will find a music sample and lead sheet at this link.
Have a blessed week!