A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 10:1-10Jesus said:“Amen, amen, I say to you,whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gatebut 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.”
REFLECTION
I am the gate.Whoever enters through me will be saved,and will come in and go out and find pasture.
Scripture mentions gates often. City gates, palace or temple gates had gatekeepers who were stationed to protect against outside invaders. Gatekeepers were trustworthy and alway had to be alert, awake and aware of their surroundings.
Nowadays, we have gates that allow us to enter a stadium, a plane or a sporting event if we show our tickets or an invite. Without the proper paperwork we cannot enter. Our gates to our subdivision need a code to let us in. Some restaurants require reservations; some churches require advanced arrangements to attend.
David refers to the keeper of the gate in Psalm 141:3 as the Lord, who guards our mouths. Jesus refers to Himself as the gatekeeper who will save. The Divine Gatekeeper is Jesus who gives us the Holy Spirit to watch over our hearts, fill us with fear of the Lord and the ability to repel sin and temper our five senses.
He shows us empathy and by example and virtue He helps us deal with grief, anger, fear, discouragement, shame, guilt, envy, jealousy, ambition, pride, greed and apathy. The Lord gives us the opportunity to have intimacy with Him, so we can know Him and be close to His tenderness, love, support and nurturing.
For true happiness, live with the Lord and follow the road where He leads you. Leave behind inferior thoughts of worthlessness, pain, and our need for material things. Jesus, the Christ, is waiting at the entry gate to paradise. Live a life that He will recognize you and you Him.
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