Gospel: John 10:1-10
Truly, I say to you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. But the shepherd of the sheep enters by the gate. The keeper opens the gate to him and the sheep hear his voice; he calls each of his sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow
him for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but rather they will run away from him, because they don’t recognize a stranger’s voice.” Jesus used this comparison, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheep. All who came were thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not hear them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved; he will go in and out freely and find food. The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy, but I have come
that they may have life, life in all its fullness.
Reflection:
"Gate to the sheepfold."
There were different forms of sheepfolds at the time of Jesus, as one could imagine, some more elaborate than others. Some, as the Gospel relates had a gatekeeper, but others had a wall but no gate. The shepherd acted as the gate, as he lay across the opening. In that way, the sheep had to pass through him to get in or out. And thus, Jesus describes himself as the Gate to the sheepfold, saying “whoever enters through me will be saved.” However, if we try to get into heaven by our own efforts, it would be like trying to climb over the wall of the sheepfold without the shepherd
noticing. The plan would be an attempt to steal a place in heaven, but this is something that is given, not taken, and so this is a fruitless effort. Lifegiving repentance and new life is offered to all peoples through Jesus Christ. And so, if we seek salvation and heaven, we are to follow the Christ. If we seek life, we are to follow the Good Shepherd, and not seek to go our own way.
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