Sunday 30th of April
“I am the gate of the sheepfold.”
John 10:1-10
Our reading today invites us to reflect on our relationship with God and his relationship with us. Jesus refers to himself as the “Good Shepherd” and not just any shepherd, but he is our Shepherd, the one who came so that “we might have life and have it to the full.” Jesus also speaks of himself as the gate. What does a gate do? It protects and provides security and safety. This is what Jesus does for us. But we need to listen to his voice. He calls us by our names. Are we familiar with Jesus’ voice? Do we hear him calling us by our name?
Jesus warns us to be careful of the false shepherd that seeks to lead us away from the green pastures of his love. He says, “the thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy.” Are we aware of the thief’s voice that comes to us in different ways to draw us away from the true love, freedom, and nourishment that the Good Shepherd offers us?
Today we pray that we might hear the Good Shepherd calling us to life. May we find peace, rest, security and nourishment in him.