Trinity XXII

For this week, my attention fell on the Collect for the Day for the Twenty-second Sunday after Trinity. It reads:

LORD, we beseech thee to keep thy household the Church in continual godliness; that through thy protection it may be free from all adversities, and devoutly given to serve thee in good works, to the glory of thy Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

This collect dates from at least the eighth century if not earlier. It contains basic themes that tie together the assigned Scripture lessons. It views the Church as a household or extended family under the guidance and protection of God the heavenly Father. He is the source of all goodness and godliness, and only through His gracious help can His human children do good.

Easter II- The Shepherd of our Souls- John 10:11; I Peter 2:25

On the traditional calendars of western churches, the Second Sunday after Easter has been called Good Shepherd Sunday (newer calendars shift this theme to a week later). Of course, this theme is related to the Gospel, in particular, John 10:11 where Jesus says, "I am the good Shepherd." This time, let us focus on a related statement in the Epistle. In I Peter 2:25, the Apostle Peter writes, "For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls."

This verse presents two truths. 1) Human beings are like sheep, and we go astray. We do not think or live as we should. We wander away on our own and get into all kinds of danger and trouble. 2) Despite our tendency to wander, Jesus Christ is our Shepherd. He wants to guide us and protect us. He is the bishop,  that is, the "overseer," who watches over our souls. So Christians are those who have returned to our Good Shepherd. We have returned to Jesus, and we need to stay close to Him. The risen Lord is the only one who can properly guide and care for us! Thanks be to God for this message of hope!