The Sheepfold and the Voice of the Shepherd

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Stone sheepfold John 10:22-30 Recently my boys have been spending a great deal of time outside in the area that will soon be transformed into our garden. They spend endless hours digging in the dirt for worms. They then promptly take those worms and throw them to the chickens. It amazes me how even chickens can learn to recognize sounds or voices. My oldest makes this funny high-pitched sound when he comes out of the house and heads toward the coop. The chickens practically fall over themselves running toward the fence or out of the coop when they hear him making his sound. They know there is food to follow! In Sunday's Gospel Jesus tells us that, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me." and "I am the gate for the sheep." Today, again, Jesus mentions that His sheep know His voice and follow Him.  In these few verses we learn that Jesus is both gate and shepherd for the sheep. In those days and even today in some places, a sheepfold w
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You have another Cain: A Poem

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Oh Lord, you have another Cain,
Sin is a demon, lurking at my door,
His urge is toward me,
And I toward him.

I heed not your voice,
Your gentle encouragement,
It is lost in the wind of the field,
Drown by the cries of my brother,
No one has ever killed Cain,
He has simply, become another.

Abel, Joseph, Jesus,
The just ones drive us mad,
Their presence is pain,
We despise their name,
Sin wins - the game.

Cain sought a sign,
Of Your Love, of your pleasure,
None was given,
Your Love, there is no way to measure.

The Pharisees too sought a sign,
Of Your power, of your might.
None was given, 
Ah, but a three day night.

I too want a sign,
Undeniable proof of your Love,
Magic, mystery, spectacle,
From above? Certainly not love.

Not getting my way,
Cain appears again,
Someone must pay!
It is the only way,
To ease the pain,
To make it go away.

Am I my brother's keeper?
The pain goes deeper,
I am another Cain,
Another Pharisee,
When I fail to trust,
And doubt Your love for me.

Your mercy, though, even unto Cain,
Help me begin, once again,
This day, this hour, this Lent,
To seek your help,
In mastering my sin.

More poetry is available from James M. Hahn in The Last Dragon and Other Poems available now.


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