and to whom the sheep do not belong. They abandon the sheep as soon as they see the
wolf coming; then the wolf snatches and scatters the sheep. This is because the hired
hand works for pay and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my
own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father. Because of this,
I give my life for my sheep. I have other sheep which are not of this fold. These I have to
lead as well, and they shall listen to my voice. Then there will be one flock, since there is
one shepherd. The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takesit from me, but I lay it down freely. It is mine to lay down and to take up again:
this mission I received from my Father.”
READ: Jesus identified himself as the good shepherd. He described the good shepherd as
a person who gives his life for the sheep. Jesus compared the good shepherd with the hired
hand. The hired hand works for pay, does not care for the sheep, and would not protect the
sheep from the wolf. The good shepherd knows his sheep and lays his life for them. Jesus
also mentioned the other sheep outside such particular sheepfold. Jesus said that eventually
there will be one flock under one shepherd. Jesus, being loved by the Father, emphasized the
fact that no one could take his life from him but would lay it down freely.
REFLECT: Whenever we would reflect on the passion and death of Jesus, we normally think
of a Jesus who was cornered by his enemies and helplessly killed in shame. However, John’s
Gospel depicts that Jesus was never stripped of his glory and dignity even during his passion
and death. In today’s Gospel, Jesus said it clearly – that no one could take his life away, that
he laid it down freely. Therefore, it was a decision made by Jesus. He chose us, laying down
his life. Can we also do something good not because we have already run out of choices but
because we know that it is the right thing to do?
PRAY: Let us pray for guidance that we may be decisive to do what is right.
ACT: Let us now decisively change from a consumeristic to a simpler lifestyle.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2024
