Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ 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.”
A thief
1. Robbers. There might be people who circle around your life, seeking only to rob you of your peace. They sneak in through the side door because what they really want is to take advantage of you for their own benefit, not to share life with you. Unlike a shepherd, who leads and cares, a thief causes harm and attempts to possess you. Your life is your own and you have a mission to fulfil. Don’t let your life be controlled by someone else, because God desires you to be blessed, not dominated or manipulated.
2. Your name. The Good Shepherd strives to protect your identity. It is essential to understand that your identity and your mission are inseparable. Never let anyone take away your individuality, for it is what makes you genuine and distinct. You are not meant to be a photocopy of anyone else, nor are you intended to become what someone else wishes you to be. You are a creation of God, not a manufactured product fashioned to fulfil others’ expectations.
3. Know. Your role is to grow in your knowledge of God and discover yourself through Him. Use these days to reflect deeply and uncover who you are in God. This will enable you to accept and love the qualities that make you uniquely yourself, because no one can love what they don’t know.
Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus is both the gate and the Good Shepherd. Let us pray that the Shepherd will send us shepherds after his own heart, so that together we may reach Heaven. It is a day dedicated to praying for priesthood and religious vocations. We ask the Lord to inspire those who have consecrated their lives to God, so they may have the heart of shepherds and care attentively for their flock. We also remember in prayer those shepherds who are weary or wounded. The Pope has called for prayers for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer.
Remember that something good is on the way.
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
