I am the Good Shepherd

The theme of the good shepherd is seen in both the Old and the New Testament alike. The Profit Ezekiel writes of the good shepherd as the Lord God who will come and rescue his sheep. Chapter ten of John’s Gospel fulfills this prophesy as Jesus shows that he is the good shepherd. The image of Jesus as the good shepherd continues to shape the imagination of Christians today as Jesus is often seen in paintings and stain glass leading a flock of sheep. This imagery is so prevalent in Christian tradition that the ordained are referred to as the “Pastor,” the one who ministers to the flock, obedient and chosen by God.

The theme of the shepherd is found throughout the Old Testament in Genesis, Numbers, Psalms, Isaiah, Micah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Zechariah and so on. In the Old Testament, often the past shepherds of Israel have led their sheep astray by irresponsible tending. Ezekiel addresses this concern with his prophesies about the good shepherd who is to come. Ezekiel’s prophesy is twofold. First, he addresses the problem of the past shepherds and then tells how God plans to make things right.

I Have A Say

Father John Hollowell responds to Cecile Richards (President of Planned Parenthood) and her campaign for people to take a stand for there rights to contraception. By the way, Fr. Hollowell has three times as many views as the original campaign video made by Cecile Richards.

Flesh and Blood

Understanding the Eucharist in John VI

Protestant and Catholic

The Gospel According to St. John Ch: VI

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Read from the Gospel of John below

The sixth chapter of Johns Gospel is arguably the most controversial chapter amongst Protestants and Catholics. The Bread of Life Discourse has been understood to carry a different connotation throughout Christian history and especially since the Reformation in the 16^th century. Chapter VI of the gospel provides the understanding of the Eucharist for all Christians; however, the scripture has been interpreted much different by Protestants and Catholics. The general understanding of John VI is that Jesus has presented himself as the Bread of Life for all the people of the world to have life within them. John is rather clear about this. What is left up for discussion is whether Jesus is speaking metaphorical or literally.

While there are many differing Protestant understandings of the Eucharist, the general understanding is that Jesus was speaking of figurative flesh and figurative blood and a spiritual unification that takes place between man and God when we believe in Jesus and continue to feed (figuratively) on him. The understanding of the Eucharist differs between the thousands of denominations. For this reason, when speaking of the Protestant understanding of John VI, I will be referring to the teachings of the Reformers to avoid generalization.