That We May Have Life

 

John 10:1-10

I Am the Good Shepherd

10 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. ² But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. ³ To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ⁴ When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. ⁵ A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” ⁶ This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

⁷ So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. ⁸ All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. ⁹ I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

Often called "Good Shepherd Sunday" because of this Gospel, this is also a special day for thousands who are devotees of the Divine Mercy prayer, many of whom will be gathering in Stockbridge, MA to celebrate Mass and pray the Divine Mercy chaplet. For those of us who cannot be there, we can make a special effort to pray the chaplet wherever we are, or spend time with this passage to absorb even more the great love Jesus, our Good Shepherd, has for us. He has given his life for us, calls us by name and offers us abundant, eternal life with him. Where else would we rather be than in his flock? 

Bro. Rene 

Good Shepherd, may I grow in trust of  your loving care and live as a faithful member of your flock. Accept my prayer of gratitude for your loving care, and shepherd me always with it. Amen.