This is the fourth Sunday of Easter. It is Good Shepherd Sunday.
It is ANZAC Day.
We are familiar with each of these.
Easter – time of hope, joy, and endless life-giving possibility. The good shepherd guides us always, loves us and protects us. ANZAC Day lives large in our national psyche and in the heartfelt ritual we practise in remembrance of bravery, courage and selfless sacrifice.
How do we, here in Coorparoo, in our community context, draw new life and insight from the confluence of these three incredibly significant, seemingly diverse, realities?
Jesus lives anew for our sake having given so much, suffered so much. The shepherd selflessly and vulnerably gives all for us, the precious flock. Those who served in Gallipoli and in other places did so giving their lives for a greater good.
Service – selfless, generous, courageous, persistent service - this is the essence of the three big stories we recount and celebrate this weekend. Service offered for the greater good of the other. Service offered honestly, authentically and openly. Service that relegates self in deference to goodness and life which transcends the here and now impacting hopefully, eternally.
We grow stronger as a community when we commit to being people of service. Fr Matthew has done it. As ordained priest he has pledged to a life of service. Our many parishioners active in ministry have done it. They give so we all might enjoy the fruits of our communion. So many more acts of service happen unannounced, and we are all the better for them.
The call to serve as the people of God is thrice declared in the stories we share this week. Lest we forget.
Christine Clarke, Parishioner
Sunday Readings: Acts 4:8-12; 1 Jn 3:1-2; Jn 10:11-18
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