Eastertide
May 2, 2020
Scripture Reading: John 10:1-10
‘Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. –John 10:1-6
Jesus opened the gate so that all could come in. There is much talk in our world today about the integrity of globalism. Watching the spread of the COVID 19 virus assures us that globalism is a necessity whether we like it or not. The impact of climate change has illustrated that reality for some time but perhaps not in severe enough terms to get our attention. Followers of Christ have known it for 2000 years when we were instructed to go into all the world sharing the good news of Jesus Christ*.
There are no borders in the Kingdom of God. When I heard on the news that some want China to pay for our COVID 19 expenses, I wondered how quickly the USA would pick up the tab for other nations trying to recover from a pandemic outbreak that started here.
The greatest good that could result from this pandemic is that we take seriously our need to open the gate and recognize that we need to share God’s love for and with our neighbors near and far.
Prayer: God of all Creation, help us become gate openers toward welcoming all your children to your table. Amen.
*See Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19 All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.