The Holy Gospel according to St. John 10:1-10
Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Encountering Christ
As one called to serve Christ and His Church, I find great meaning in meditating on these words of our Lord. He is the only and surest way to our salvation – to Heaven.
From a scriptural perspective, we understand that Jesus is the only way to enter into eternal life with the Father. He is the Good Shepherd who protects and guides His flock, the one true path that leads to salvation. All other ways are false and lead only to peril, as Jesus warns of the “thieves and robbers.”
Practically applied to our lives, this means we must follow Christ alone, heeding His voice and rejecting any teachings or philosophies that contradict His truth, and this Truth exists wholly and completely in the Catholic Church. The world offers many distractions and temptations that can lead us astray like wandering sheep, we must remain firmly planted in Christ the gate, entering by His grace through the sacraments and constant prayer. I would add that through the intercessions of Our Blessed Mother, St. Joseph, and all the Saints – we will find our way home.
Personally, this scripture fills me with contrasting feelings of comfort and conviction. I am deeply comforted knowing that by remaining in Christ, I can live eternally under His tender care and that choice is mine to make. Yet I am also convicted by my frequent failures to actually follow His voice and hesitate at the gate, enticed by the illusions of the world. How I long to listen to His call more faithfully!
Action of the Day
Each day we should refocus our minds and hearts on Christ through prayer, frequent reception of Holy Communion and Confession, and of reading and praying the scriptures. Redouble our efforts to know His voice more intimately by meditating on His words daily. Boldly and lovingly call others to enter through the gate, confident that in Christ alone is freedom and an abundant life. May God give us the grace to be faithful gatekeepers for His flock.
To hear this reflection over audio, click the link below!
