Every year during the season of Eastertide, the Common Lectionary appoints scripture readings which lift up the image of God as the Good Shepherd. On the fourth Sunday of Easter, in each year of the lectionary’s three-year cycle, Psalm 23 and a selection from John 10 are offered to the ecumenical community as appropriate readings for the day. Some churches call it Good Shepherd Sunday, the annual reminder of the powerful biblical image of God’s love and care to protect and guide all people.
Today, while the world’s eyes were fixed on the chimney rising above the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, awaiting the next plume of smoke to arise, we could already see in our mind’s eye a newly elected Pope walking down the aisle of St Peter’s Basilica carrying that familiar gilded shepherd’s crook. Even for urban people who rarely cross paths with a herd of sheep, the symbol is a powerful reminder of God as a strong and gentle guardian who encourages us to follow the example of Christ in love and service.
Peter Gomes, who was Professor of Christian Morals and Minister of the Memorial Church at Harvard, noted that the late 17th-century congregational churches in New England are never described as “founded.” Their signs will not say, Founded in 1690… or 1724… or 1802. Instead, they used this evocative nomenclature and said, Gathered in 1690. Gathered in 1724. Gathered in 1802. A church gets founded once with minutes reflecting the decision of a governing body and recording a finite list of the names of charter members. However, a church that is gathered marks its founding date but also carries a promise of the future. A gathered congregation describes a living community that will continue to grow while the Risen Christ blesses the church as a Good Shepherd, welcoming more diverse people into the unity of God’s fold.
This Sunday, the fold of BMPC will expand to welcome a large class of new members. Always a celebration of Christian hospitality, I am fond of saying that when we receive new members, God is making of our old congregation a new church. It’s true because of the unique gifts, commitments, and needs each new member brings. Our welcome of each one affirms God’s good intentions for everyone to be bound together under God’s guidance, protection, and care.
It's a lovely coincidence that the reception of new members this spring falls on Good Shepherd Sunday as together we celebrate how our church gathering is welcoming, inclusive, dynamic, and growing. Join us on Sunday to hear beloved Good Shepherd passages of scripture and to welcome new friends into our fold.
