From: "Todd A. Peperkorn (by way of Rev. Eric J. Stefanski, )" To: Subject: HP: Misericordias Helps #2 Date: Thursday, November 01, 2001 12:54 PM [As a side note, please make a point to join us in a discussion of this text at ebiblecommentary.com at Noon CST.] Gentlemen, First, the preliminaries: Readings: Ezekiel 34:11-16 [God is our Shepherd], 1 Peter 2:21-25 [Life through God's Word], John 10:11-16 [The Good Shepherd] Hymns: Hymn of the Day O Little Flock, Fear Not the Foe [TLH 263/LW 300] The King of Love, My Shepherd, Is [TLH 431/LW 412] Auxiliary Hymns TLH 211/LW 146; TLH 436/LW 416; LW 417 Introit: Psalm 33 Alleluia verse: (Luke 24:35, John 10:14) Preface: Easter Prayers Merciful Father, who by the humiliation of Your Son raised up the fallen world, grant to Your faithful people perpetual gladness, and make those whom You have delivered from the danger of everlasting death to be partakers of eternal joys; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Notes from the LHP: "Our Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd. (Jn 10:11-16) He is not like the hireling, who cares nothing for the sheep and only for himself, who flees when he sees the wolf coming. Rather, Jesus is the Good Shepherd who seeks out His scattered sheep to deliver them. (Ezek 34:11-16). He gathers them and feeds them in rich pasture. He binds up the broken and strengthens the sick. He lays down His life for wandering and wayward sheep. On the cross Christ bore in His body the attacks of the predators of sin and death and the devil for you that you might be saved. He now lives to restore your souls in the still waters of baptism, to lead you in the paths of righteousness by the voice of His Gospel, to prepare the table of His holy supper before you, that you may dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (Psalm 23) "For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls." (1 Peter 2:21-25)" Textual and Homiletical Observations: 1. This Sunday is often called Good Shepherd Sunday, as many of the readings for the day revolve around Christ the Good Shepherd. While this is certainly good and appropriate, it is important to keep the connection to the resurrection prominent in the preaching. 2. Pius Parsch observes that it is also important to keep the "pro nobis" character of the Sunday in place. He writes in vol. 3, p. 78, "The parable brings to our attention three consoling truths: Christ gives His life for His sheep; He remains with them constantly through the bond of grace; He will not rest content until there be but one flock and one shepherd." 3. This points us to the ongoing work of the Good Shepherd. The resurrection is not a one-time event in history that happened long ago. Rather, the fruits of Christ's death and resurrection come to us today in Baptism, and continue to flow into us through His Holy Supper. 4. Another comparison may be made. In the Gospel lesson Jesus says that the hireling flees when he sees the wolf coming. There are two enemies of the sheep: the wolf who attacks and the hireling who does nothing when the sheep are faced with danger. While the wolf would come to devour the sheep, Jesus comes and feeds the sheep Himself. (The ancient symbol of the pelican comes to mind.) 5. Pius Parsch again, "Christ's body in the Eucharist gives flesh to His words in the Gospel. Never disjoin one from the other. For together they constitute our most valuable earthly treasure, together they give us the whole Christ. What He promises in the Gospel He fulfills in the Eucharist. And thus the Mass, comprising word and the body of Christ, brings Him completely to us. In the Gospel He says, "I am the Good Shepehrd" - in the Eucharistic Sacrifice the Good Shepherd becomes present. In the Gospel He tells us, "I know Mine and Mine know me" - in the Eucharistic Sacrifice He fulfills His claim: Whoever eats My flesh abides in Me and I in Him. In the Gospel He says, "Other sheep I have ... them also must I bring" - through the Eucharistic Sacrifice He builds up His flock, gathering stray sheep into the fold." (Parsch, The Year of Grace, vol. 3, pp. 78-79). These are a few things to get you started. Enjoy! Fraternally, Rev. Todd A. Peperkorn, Pastor Messiah Lutheran Church 2026 22nd Ave. Kenosha, WI 53140 (262) 551-8182 Church (262) 551-9081 Parsonage ICQ: 41323985 TPeperkorn@worldnet.att.net http://www.yahoogroups.com/community/MessiahNews http://messiah-lcms.gatheringspot.com/ Rev. Todd A. Peperkorn, Pastor Messiah Lutheran Church 2026 22nd Ave. Kenosha, WI 53140 (262) 551-8182 Church (262) 551-9081 Parsonage ICQ: 41323985 TPeperkorn@worldnet.att.net http://www.yahoogroups.com/community/MessiahNews http://messiah-lcms.gatheringspot.com/ + Historic Preaching + The Historic Preaching list is devoted to preaching on the Propers of the Historic Lectionary as found in The Lutheran Hymnal (TLH) and Service Book and Hymnal (SBH). Subscribe? Send ANY message to: Unsubscribe? Send ANY message to: Respond? Click 'Reply' or write to For further information about this list, contact the list administrator at: Rev. Fr. Eric J. Stefanski or visit our website: + + + + + +