This Sunday.

So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”     –John 10.7-10

• What would abundant life look like for you?  How would you know when you have it?
• Is what we have now considered abundant life?
• Do you find the image of sheep and shepherds helpful in your understanding of God?  What is a helpful image for you?
• What would it mean if Jesus’ invitation is an idea of abundance which doesn’t see pluses and minuses, but cooperation and sharing?

The priest I worked for at Heavenly Rest in New York was fond of quoting from the solemn collects of Good Friday which refers to the church as a “wonderful and sacred mystery.”  When he used it, it was usually as a way of saying he has no idea what’s going on; “they don’t call it a wonderful and sacred mystery for nothing,” he would say.  Much remains a mystery in life which we struggle to understand sometimes, but I think in our uncertainty and confusion we do better when we’re able to share, whether it’s specific help with something we need or just a friendly and kind person who’s willing to listen.

Join us Sunday at 6 pm on Zoom (bit.ly/TCZoom) to find friendly and kind people who aren’t afraid of the mystery, and are willing to share abundant life whatever it looks like. Download the Sunday bulletin here.

–Thomas