FLM TOBY FANANTENANA 67 Ha
Communion’s prayer, Sunday II after Easter
Week from 01, to 06 May 2017
“God watches over His sheep”
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Introduction: God watches over His sheep because He loves them. To watch over means to keep an eye on, to protect against danger,
against the enemy and against death, and above all, to feed and to give life. Jesus’ announcement is clear about this: “I am the gate;
whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and
destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” Jn 10:9-10. Jesus is really “the good shepherd” who lays down his
life to save the sheep (Jn 10:11). The sheep of God are those who accept Him as Lord and Father and know that his caring love is
precious, so they can say: “For He is our God and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care” Ps 95:7a. Likewise, “it is
He who made us, and we are His; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture” Ps 100:3b. He calls and appoints his disciples and all
his servants to the task of watching over his sheep. As the good Shepherd. Als der gute Hirte setzt er sich He sets himself as an
example to be followed, and encourages them to do the work He did, saying: “I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do
what I have been doing” Jn 14: 12a. This is nothing less than to watch over God’s flock.
Monday 01: The promise of caring that God gives.
“I myself will search for my sheep and look after them” Ez 34:11.
Reading 1: Jn 10:1-10; Reading 2: Ez 34:11-16; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Ez 34:11. Other references:
– “I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you I said ‘You are my servant’ I have chosen you
and have not rejected you” Is 41:9.
– “For this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘After he has honored me and has sent me against the nations that have
plundered you – for whoever touches you touches the apple of His eye” Zec 2:12.
– “Do not be afraid, little flocks, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” Lk 12:32.
Tuesday 02: Whoever loves the Lord takes care of his flock.
“Take care of my sheep” Jn 21:16b.
Reading 1: Col 1:24-29; Reading 2: Jn 21:15-25; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jn 21:15-17. Other references:
– “Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing” Jn 14:12a.
– “Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers – not because you must, but because you are
willing, as Gods wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve” 1 Pet 5:2a.
Wednesday 03: The faithful shepherd denies himself to take care of his flock.
“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” Jn 10:11b.
Reading 1: Is 46:3-10; Reading 2: Jn 10:11-16; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jn 10:11. Other references:
– “And to think that my father fought for you, risked His life to rescue you from the hand of Midian” Jg 9:17
– “Men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” Acts 15:26.
– “However I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has
given me – the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace” Acts 20:24.
Thursday 04: The shepherd cares for the soul of his sheep.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses” Heb 4:15a.
Reading 1: Jn 13:1-5; Reading 2: Heb 4:14-16; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Heb 4:15. Other references:
– “Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows” Is 53:4a.
– “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for yours souls. For my yoke I easy and my burden is light” Mt
11:28-30.
Friday 05: God cares for the life of his people.
“The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him” Ps 34:7a.
Reading 1: Mt 10:22-33; Reading 2: Ps 34:1-10; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Ps 34:7. Other references:
– “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil” Ps 23:5.
– “I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust” Ps 91: 2.
– “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no
one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them
out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one” Jn 10:27-30.
Saturday 06: God’s care for his flock is infinite.
“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness” Jer 31:3
Reading 1: Heb 13:5-6; Reading 2: Jer 31:1-6; Preaching 1 (choice); Preaching 2: Jer 31:3. Other references:
– “It was just Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having
loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love” Jn 13:1.
– “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” Mt 28:20b.
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