Saint Paul’s Sermons

In the Gospel for today from John chapter 10, the Lord declares himself the "good shepherd," who knows and cares for the sheep, and who is known by them. In saying, "I am the good shepherd," Christ also reaffirms his divinity by the use of the "I am" formulation. We the sheep can rest assured in the good stewardship of our Lord and Savior, the Good Shepherd.

On this Good Shepherd Sunday, Father Andrew reflects on what Jesus means to us and on living with joy in Christ.

The Resurrection of Jesus from the dead is the pivotal fact upon which the Apostles and other early church evangelists made their case for the person and work of Christ as the savior of sinners. It's a miraculous fact that has been repudiated and attacked, even by some in the church. But objectively, it is a fact proven by evidence, even the kind of evidence that would prove the case in a court of law. The best explanation for the irrefragable facts is that Jesus of Nazareth was executed, buried, and considered dead, but on the third day rose from the dead and returned to life!

As Christians saved by faith in Jesus Christ and his Resurrection, we should be filled with joy and should stand up for Jesus in every situation!

Fr Francois celebrates and elucidates the blessed season of Eastertide.

A New Commandment (Jn 13:31-35)

When he [Judas] had gone out, Jesus said, “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him. If God is glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and glorify him at once. Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You willseek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’ A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”

Maundy: the English word is derived from the Latin word mandatum, meaning 'command'. The Latin Vulgate renders John 13:34: 'Mandatum novum do vobis ut diligatis invicem sicut dilexi vos', in English: 'A new commandment I give unto you: That you love one another, as I have loved you,that you also love one another.'

Jesus Gave the example, Jesus prayed for them, Jesus Instituted the Lord’s Supper to Provide for them A Means of Grace and a. Reminder, and Jesus directed them to Love One Another

"And I am no longer in the world, " Jesus prayed, "but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one. (Jn 17:11)

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. Theglory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, (Jn 17:20-22)

Paul’s Admonition to Christians – Unity and Agape

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgivingone another, as God in Christ forgave you. (Eph 4:32)

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only donot use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you bite and devour one another, watch out thatyou are not consumed by one another. (Gal 5:13-15)

Are We Living as Christians? Would the world know we are?

By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (Jn 13:35). This is Jesus’scharge to us, his challenge to us, powerfully given on this dark and dreadful night two thousand years ago.

When Jesus said, "before Abraham was, I am," his shocked hearers were ready to stone him for blasphemy. Why? Because that double emphasis formula was a clear proclamation of his deity, using the sacred name of God revealed to Moses on Mt Sinai.

In translating the Old Testament, particularly Ex 3:14, the 70 Jewish scholars of the LXX used this same Greek formula "ego eimi," for God himself.

And in Isaiah:

Who has performed and done this, calling the generations from the beginning? I am the LORD, the first and with the last  I am he.” Is 41:4

You are my witnesses,” declares the Lord, “and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the Lord, and besides me there is no savior.” Is 43:10-11

“Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called! I am he; I am the first, and I am the last. Is 48:12

And in Revelation:

“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Rev 1:8

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.” Rev 21:6

“Behold, I am coming soon, bringing my recompense with me, to repay each one for what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Rev 22:12-13 [just ego in this one].

WHAT’S THE POINT?

Jesus clearly and unambiguously identified himself as divine, claimed the same divinity as God the Father.

The Jews of his time recognized it and saw it as blasphemous.

Moslems today like to claim that Jesus never said he was divine.

We follow a Savior who is both fully God and fully man, and because of that he accomplished our redemption, and we can trust him and rely on him.

From the well-known example of the Lord's Prayer to many other passages in the scriptures we find inspiration and guidance as to how we should pray to God, such as Matthew 6:6-13, where Jesus advises us to pray sincerely and without show, unlike the hypocrites.

Saint Paul's letter to the church in Ephesus is full of wise advice and pastoral care, not surprising as Ephesus was a major city he had lived in and preached in for three years. So, it was especially close to his heart.

Saint Patrick's story inspires us believers to join in fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus in chapter 28 of Matthew's Gospel, to go out into the world to make disciples, teaching them all of Christ's truth.