Isn't this just like life at times? Last week we had Paradise in the pulpit; today, just the plain old pastor. More seriously, Pastor Scott Paradise preached a marvelous sermon last Sunday, but that was then and now is now - and I offer you no Paradise. Nevertheless, this is a very special morning. Today we continue our first Sunday of May tradition dating back into the last century. There's not a lot of hoopla and fanfare involved with our particular tradition - just pride and joy that young people, our ten year olds, get a taste of their faith in a brand new way. This morning they experience Jesus in bread and wine. In our final class session yesterday, I treated the kids to a wine tasting party. Based on their reaction, my guess is that many will opt for grape juice. Nevertheless, fermented grapes or unfermented, it's the same Jesus.

Again, we do this with not a lot of hoopla and fanfare, but we will highlight the occasion with a special reception following worship. That's how we traditionally do it as we gather on the first Sunday in May at this church. There is absolutely no resemblance to the gathering on the first Saturday of May, not at church, but Churchill Downs. We feed our ten-year-olds at the church, with bread and rosé. At Churchill Downs, they race their three year olds, in what is called the "run for the roses." The Derby is also called, "the most exciting two minutes in sports." What we do in our sanctuary this morning is far less than "the most exciting two minutes in worship." Not exciting, but the implications are far more profound. And for me ... a relief.

A relief? Well, for the past few years I've been encountered almost every Sunday morning by Mark. Mark, with twinkling eyes and his hand out. What an optimist. For week after week, year after year, Mark would hold out his hand ... and week after week, year after year, Mark would walk away from the Communion rail empty-handed (not counting the time I was distracted and Mark got the bread). This is Good Shepherd Sunday. Do you know what the word "pastor" means? Pastor comes from the Latin "pascere," and it means to feed. A pastor feeds ... and week after week and year after year, Mark left the table of the Lord hungry. Not today. Today the pastor lives up to his name: feeder. This morning, Mark and ten companions receive the True Presence of Jesus is a new way.

The new way is this: two common, every day ingredients: bread and wine, and Jesus says of them, "Eat and drink; this bread is my body, this wine is my blood. Forget "the most exciting two minutes in sports." Bread and wine become the two most important ingredients on our worship menu. And eleven companions will receive for the very first time. I could have said "eleven classmates," or "eleven friends," but I said eleven companions. And just as the Latin "pascere" means to feed, so the Latin root of "companion," means to break bread together.

I'm officiating at a wedding in a few weeks, and I met on Friday with Joe and Diane, the groom and the bride. They are both Roman Catholic, and they intend to remain Roman Catholic - but circumstances made it difficult for a priest to officiate, so I'm their Plan B. I told the couple I was in no way offended.

During our conversation, Joe looked around my office and said, "Pastor, you're wearing a clerical collar. I'm looking around your office and I see pictures of Jesus, and even a crucifix on the wall. Other than the large picture of Sinatra, what's the main difference between our two churches?" And I was able to give him a quick, one word answer. I have a feeling that some of you may have discussed that question at one time or another with your roman Catholic friends. What's the main difference between our two churches? Authority. That's the main difference. I explained that in the Roman Catholic church, there is one final authority. One man who can say, "The buck stops here." Of course, that would be the Pope.

Some ten-point-five million people in this country identify themselves as Lutherans. The Roman Catholic Church has one Pope. In America, we Lutherans have ten-point-five million popes. The main difference is authority: the Roman Catholic Pope, the bishop of Rome, speaks - and the people obey. It's not quite that simple among we Lutherans. The buck stops here, and here, and there, and there. That being said, if the main difference between our church bodies is authority, what holds us together as brothers and sisters in Christ is also - authority. All Christians, accept as our ultimate authority - Jesus Christ - the Great Shepherd of the sheep.

Each year the Fourth Sunday of Easter is observed as Good Shepherd Sunday by Christians spanning the globe. Hallmark is missing the mark by not commercializing Good Shepherd Sunday. Next Sunday is Mother's Day and just so you are aware, there are only forty-eight shopping days to Father's Day. The Hallmark people have identified or created so many special days to send cards ... and they miss this one? Good Shepherd Sunday. Countless Roman Catholics are observing Good Shepherd Sunday. Not one Good Shepherd card at Hallmark. Countless Orthodox Christians, untold numbers of Lutherans, Methodists, Episcopalians and Presbyterians are observing this day as Good Shepherd Sunday. We are gathering in cathedrals, basilicas and storefronts this day, reading the words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of St. John, where Jesus proclaims himself the good shepherd. How can Hallmark fail to make hay on this day? An opportunity missed!

Jesus is the Good Shepherd ... and Jesus has certainly gathered a wonderful flock in this particular branch office of God's Church. think of the people, for instance, who were so instrumental in bring these eleven young companions to this point in their lives. Their parents, who take seriously their promises when these children were Baptized. Sunday School teachers, who modeled the love of Jesus as they told stories of the Good Shepherd. Lois Leonard, who spent several weeks with these eleven, teaching them about chancel furnishings and Communion ware. Shepherds and feeders - each of them.

"I am the Good Shepherd, "Jesus says. "The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." And that is exactly what he did. For each one of us. When push comes to shove, Popes and pastors are part of the flock. Pastors and popes are not card carrying members of the "Shepherd's Union." They (we) are part of the flock. I don't want to overstate the case, because pastors and popes and clergy with all kinds of titles are called by God to lead our congregational flocks ... but we are leaders only insofar as we are true to our task as feeders - offering in Word and Sacrament our one true Authority - our Lord Jesus Christ. He is the Good Shepherd who laid down, on our behalf, his life.

And while this morning may not be exactly paradise, nevertheless, as we join our eleven youthful companions sharing Jesus in bread and wine, there is something positively heavenly about it!