A reading from the Holy Gospel according to 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 the shepherd 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, the Pharisees 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
Jesus speaks to us with clarity and love, calling Himself the “gate for the sheep” and the Good Shepherd whose voice the sheep recognize. This passage brings with it both comfort and a challenge—a reminder of Christ’s tender care, but also of the vigilance we must keep in following only His voice.
In ancient times, it was common for shepherds to bring their flocks into a common pen at night. Several flocks would be mixed together for safety. Yet in the morning, each shepherd would stand at the gate and call his sheep. Remarkably, only the sheep that belonged to him would respond, because they recognized his voice. They wouldn’t follow a stranger—they knew the sound that meant safety, protection, and love.
So it is with us. In the noise of this world, so many voices compete for our attention—voices of ambition, fear, confusion, false promises. But only one voice leads to life. The voice of the Shepherd – it does not flatter or manipulate—the voice of our Shepherd calls us by name, with love, truth, and purpose.
This gospel passage is also a source of great encouragement: we are not lost in a crowd to Jesus. He knows us. He calls us by name. His is not a general invitation—it is intimate. It is a relationship with Him.
Yet it is also a sobering call. Are we listening? Do we recognize His voice over the clamor of our culture, our distractions, our sins, and even our wounds? The sheep who stray too far may not hear Him. The sheep who follow the thief risk danger. Jesus warns us: the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy. But He, the true Shepherd, comes that we may have life—and have it abundantly.
Let us then open and fix our hearts each day to the voice of the Shepherd. Let us grow so familiar with His Word, His Spirit, and His Church, that when He calls, we rise and follow without hesitation. May we be sheep who know our Shepherd’s voice—and walk confidently through the gate that leads to life.
Action of the Day
Concrete Ways to Grow in Relationship with the Shepherd:
Daily Quiet Prayer (Listening Time):
Begin or end each day with at least 10 minutes of silence before the Lord. No agenda. Simply sit with Him. Speak His name. Let His voice rise above the noise of your day.
Immerse Yourself in Sacred Scripture:
The more we read the Word, especially the Gospels, the more we recognize His voice. Try reading a few verses each day from John 10 and reflect on how the Good Shepherd is calling you personally.
Examine the Voices You Follow:
Take inventory of the influences in your life—social media, entertainment, conversations, even internal thoughts. Ask: Do these voices lead me closer to Christ or away from Him?
Participate Actively in the Sacraments:
Especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation. In the Eucharist, we are nourished by the Shepherd Himself. In Reconciliation, we allow Him to draw us back into the fold.
Practice Discernment with Others:
Share your faith journey with a trusted spiritual companion, a deacon, or a priest. Sometimes the Shepherd speaks through the wisdom of another who helps us hear more clearly.
Serve in Love:
The Shepherd’s voice always calls us beyond ourselves. Serve someone in need this week—a family member, parishioner, or stranger. In doing so, we imitate the Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep.
DEACON5 Website link: https://deacon5.com/
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