Sunday Music: Bach Cantata BWV 85
It is the fourth Sunday of Easter. The title of today’s cantata is “Ich bin ein guter Hirt” (I am a Good Shepherd).
Today’s Gospel reading is John 10:11-18:
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.”
The text of today’s cantata is available here and complements the Gospel reading well:
I am a Good Shepherd; a good shepherd gives up his life for his sheep.
Jesus is a good shepherd;
for He has already given His life
for His sheep,
so that no one will steal them from Him.
Jesus is a good shepherd.
Happy listening!
[Cross-posted at RedState and The Jury Talks Back.]
I forgot the music!!! Which is the whole point. That has been fixed.
Patterico (b1f26f) — 4/22/2018 @ 10:10 amThank you, Patterico! When we got to church this morning, there was a fire truck and ambulance outside and we thought it the better part of reverence to light a candle, say a prayer and get out of the way.
nk (dbc370) — 4/22/2018 @ 11:08 amThanks from Saudi, Patterico. In a couple weeks I’ll be in my new home in Texas (former Californian). I’ll be able to go to church again. Until then, this is a great Sunday treat.
Golden Eagle (0d5e28) — 4/22/2018 @ 11:12 amIt’s been a long time since I went through Confirmation. I know that Advent is counting down towards Christmas but could anyone give me a quick breakdown about the 1-4 Sundays of Easter? Is it a countdown towards Pentecost? Thanks.
Pinandpuller (16b0b5) — 4/22/2018 @ 12:40 pmI’m up to Romans 8.
gp (0c542c) — 4/22/2018 @ 2:02 pmThe thing about Paul’s writing is that he’s slow to get to the point 😉
In my church, we still sing the Easter Hymn.
nk (dbc370) — 4/22/2018 @ 5:22 pmYes, PP,a countdown to Pentecost.
felipe (023cc9) — 4/22/2018 @ 5:28 pmI was thinking of Psalm 3. “A song of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.
1
Lord, how many are my foes!
How many rise up against me!
2
Many are saying of me,
“God will not deliver him.”[b]
3
But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
4
I call out to the Lord,
and he answers me from his holy mountain.
5
I lie down and sleep;
I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
6
I will not fear though tens of thousands
assail me on every side.
7
Arise, Lord!
Deliver me, my God!
Strike all my enemies on the jaw;
break the teeth of the wicked.
8
From the Lord comes deliverance.
May your blessing be on your people.”
May your blessing be on your people. This seems especially apt because we are living in dangerous days. Like, we never have lived in dangerous days.
Steve57 (0b1dac) — 4/23/2018 @ 2:48 pm