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The Readings
Acts 2:42-end
They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
John 10.1-10
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.
But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.
To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.
And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.
And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.
This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.
Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
Scripture Quotations are from: New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. http://nrsvbibles.org
The Sermon
By Catherine, Reader at St Mary's.
Do any of you share my guilty pleasure of watching YouTube videos?
One of my recent favourite channels is by a guy called Mack from rural Illinois. He loves clearing and cleaning houses that have got into a dreadful state. He does this for free, if he can film as he cleans. The houses are often so severely hoarded with stuff that the people who live there can no longer cope safely. Sometimes the house is cluttered, but clean. Other houses are so full of dirt and vermin that you need a mask and hazmat suit to clean safely. You need a strong stomach to watch some of Mack’s offerings.
Watching these videos could be an uncomfortably voyeuristic experience, but Mack is full of understanding and compassion for the people whose homes he is cleaning. As he narrates the video, he explains, without identifying the residents, why the house has reached this state. Trauma, poor mental or physical health, conditions such as autism and ADHD can all lead to a home becoming hoarded, dirty and unsafe. Mack, who is autistic himself, explains how these things overwhelm the ability to make decisions, or to let go of excess stuff. He does this without judging the person, and encourages his viewers to have compassion too. In the process he educates his viewers, many of whom also have these difficulties, or are trying to help someone who does. And he gives practical tips on the best ways to clear and clean – tips that anyone can use.
Mack loves cleaning and creating order. He likes sharing cleaning tips. But what he wants most from his channel is for his viewers to practise empathy and compassion too. People comment below each video in their thousands, many of them describing similar situations in their own lives. Those who live with these disabilities themselves say that they feel understood, heard and validated, sometimes for the first time in their lives. They say they would trust Mack to come and clean their own house.
Mack’s team block harmful and nasty posts, but he seldom responds to comments personally. He doesn’t need to. He’s built up an online community of followers who now encourage each other through their own difficulties with hoarding, clearing and cleaning. They learn from his videos and then support each other. I spend almost as long reading their thoughtful comments as I do watching the videos.
Building trust. Building up a community of followers who can take this forward. Two themes found in this morning’s Bible readings.
In our gospel reading, Jesus describes a picture familiar to his first audience. A sheepfold, sheltering the sheep of several different shepherds. A place of safety from wild animals and thieves, particularly at night. When it’s time to take the sheep out to graze, the shepherd arrives at the gate of the sheepfold and calls his or her flock. The gatekeeper knows the shepherd. The shepherd knows his own sheep by name, and they know his voice. And because they know him, and trust him, they follow him when he calls. Jesus likens himself to the gate, the trusted way to leave the fold. Then a few verses after our reading ends, he likens himself to the shepherd, the trusted person to follow.
The early disciples knew Jesus. They’d accompanied him long enough to know that he was someone they could trust and follow. They followed him through his ministry, to Jerusalem, and to the cross. Their faith was severely challenged when he was cruelly put to death, but when they saw the risen Christ a couple of days later, their trust began to return, and the next stage of their lives began.
Our reading from Acts takes place very early in the story of the early church. It’s shortly after Pentecost. Filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples and closest companions share the good news of the risen Jesus. People hear them speaking their own language, meeting them on home ground, as it were. Peter has preached effectively – three thousand followers join them and are baptised.
Then what?
The three thousand pick up the baton. They devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.
The apostles do what Jesus did. Their followers respond. They share what they have, sell what they don’t need and give to people who do. They spend time together in the temple, but continue their new faith at home, breaking bread with thanks, praising God. Simple acts. Powerful acts. It’s infectious – others see the simple generosity radiating outwards and want to join too.
An example we can all follow.
The Prayers
We pray to Jesus who is present with us to eternity.
Jesus, light of the world,
bring the light and peace of your gospel to the nations
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, bread of life,
give food to the hungry
and nourish us all with your word.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, our way, our truth, our life,
be with us and all who follow you in the way
Deepen our appreciation of your truth
and fill us with your life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, Good Shepherd who gave your life for the sheep,
recover the straggler,
bind up the injured,
strengthen the sick
and lead the healthy and strong to new pastures.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us.
Jesus, the resurrection and the life,
we give you thanks for all who have lived and believed in you.
Praying in silence for those known to us.
Raise us with them to eternal life.
Jesus, Lord of life,
in your mercy, hear us,
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Common Worship: Times and Seasons, material from which is used here is copyright (c) 2010 The Archbishops' Council