For Shepherding Sunday, the fourth Sunday of the season of Easter,  Rev. Cari preached on John 10:1-10. (The congregation also sang a musical setting of Psalm 23.) Though apparently a bucolic image, and a  soothing idea, Rev. Cari got underneath the metaphor of the Good Shepherd and talked about leadership – and fear.

She referred to two political video advertisements released during the previous week: one launching President Biden’s campaign, and the other the Republican response. Both advertisements use fear… but they use it very differently. (Listen for more on this, then see below.*)

Then she turned back to the John text to a closer look at the kind of leadership that Jesus is offering. The good of all the sheep is at issue here, and a highly ecological, interdependent vision of abundant life is on offer. Have a listen!

*Rev. Cari is grateful to Diana Butler Bass for the insightful post this past week that made her aware of these two videos and the uses of fear in political advertising.