April 26, 2026

In this homily for "Good Shepherd Sunday," Pastor Ron admits that as a city kid who never farmed or hunted, he doesn't know much about literal sheep—but he knows a lot about the kind of flock Jesus is calling us to be.

Drawing from Acts 2, 1 Peter, and John 10, Pastor Ron explores the radical, counter-cultural nature of the early Christian community. He highlights how the first believers focused on "doing life together" and practicing mutual aid, a stark contrast to the values of empire and modern capitalism. We also look at the Gospel of John’s unique "I Am" statements, and how the image of Jesus as the "gate" or "door" is often misused to exclude people, which goes against the very heart of the Gospel: that God loves the whole world.

Featuring thoughtful commentary and visual reflections (including art from the Naked Pastor), this message reminds us that sheep are social creatures built for community. Jesus the Good Shepherd acts as our filter against the worldly pressures of selfishness, racism, and hate, inviting us into a flock defined by beautiful diversity, abundant joy, and nonpartial compassion.

Quote of the Week:
"The community in Acts 2 has mutual aid as its foundation... It is counter cultural to most, if not all, cultures today, especially the United States' vaunted culture of capitalism."