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.”
REFLECTION: " Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture."
You and I were not just plopped down on this planet. We were planned by God with a divine purpose to fulfill. Sometimes in my self love I lose the big picture and crowd out of my heart both God and neighbor.
In His extreme patience, Jesus keeps calling us and keeps showing us how to make it back home. But before it is time to leave this earthly home, what are we to do while here? Ask God to show you why He made you.
We should not be swayed by the outside world. Doing so will keep us away from the flock, fellow sojourners, and get us off the road and perhaps lose sight of the gate. We need to stay focused on Him, need to recognize His voice and be ready to do His will. " Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture."
God has given each of us over 5,000 promises in Scripture but He is not going to force anything on us. Quietly in the silence of your conversation with God, listen to what He wants of you. Since it is His Kingdom and we are His children, the salvation of souls is utmost--to spread His good Word and go out and make disciples of all nations.
Leave your past, get to know your Good Shepherd, ask for the gift of complete trust , focus on Him and not people, and never, NEVER lose sight of Him. You might get lost.
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