Sunday Gospel Reflection
"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly"
Introduction:
"It is as absurd to argue men, as to torture them, into believing." (Cardinal John Newman)
The religious leaders of Jesus' day made it perfectly clear that a person does not have to believe to be religious. Jesus made it perfectly clear that religion is in vain, even counter to God, if it is not rooted in faith; " So they said to him, 'What can we do to accomplish the works of God?' Jesus answered and said to them, 'This is the work of God, that you believe in the one he sent.' " John 6:28,29
This week's Sunday Readings all involve some aspect of personal faith. Because as Catholics we are often baptized as infants and raised in the church, we often overlook the need to make our own reasoned faith decision about Jesus and the salvation He offers. Often we are Christians and Catholic because we were raised that way, not because we exercised our free choice. The Catechism says, "To be human, 'man's response to God by faith must be free, and . . . therefore nobody is to be forced to embrace the faith against his will. The act of faith is of its very nature a free act.'" It further points out, "Faith is a personal act - the free response of the human person to the initiative of God who reveals himself." (From section 160 and 166) So it is important to make this decision to respond to God by faith in Christ. Go and Make Disciples (published by the UCCB) points out that "people experience conversion in many ways. Some experience a sudden, shattering insight that brings rapid transformation. Some experience a gradual growth over many years. Others undergo conversion as they take part in the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults..." But they also point out that conversion is "crucial".
The Catechism has a great definition of what we are speaking about;
"Believing is an act of the intellect assenting to the divine truth by command of the
will moved by grace." (155) A personal faith decision not only understands the truth
about Jesus' death and resurrection but agrees with and responds to grace with an act of
the will to
consent to believe and follow Jesus. You will discover that this is the choice the people
had in today's first reading. The people, confronted with these truths by Peter in the
first reading, asked one another what should be done. John Paul II provides a wonderful
suggestion in the following quote. " . . . Please allow me to shout it aloud: 'It is
time to return to God!' The person who does not yet have the joy of the faith is asked for
the courage to seek it with confidence, perseverance and openness. Whoever has the grace
of possessing it is asked to value it as the most treasured possession of his life, living
it thoroughly and witnessing to it with passion. Our world hungers for faith, for an
authentic and deep faith, because God alone can fully satisfy the desires of the human
heart." (from "It is Time to Return to God!" L'Obsservatore Romano as
quoted in The Catholic Church at the End of an Age, by Ralph Martin)
The Gospel reading clearly indicates that personal faith is not the mere assent to doctrinal truths but is a relationship with a loving Shepherd. Consequently, Jesus speaks of the gate of salvation as coming through a person, him; "I am the gate" and "whoever enters through me." Because the Father is gracious he gives us the opportunity to choose to enter into this relationship with Jesus, or not to. May we find our heart fully satisfied by choosing him.
First Reading
Acts 2:14, 36-41
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.
...
36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has
made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified."
37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of
the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
38 And Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of
Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy
Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one
whom the Lord our God calls to him."
40 And he testified with many other words and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves
from this crooked generation."
41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three
thousand souls.
Second Reading
1 Peter 2:20-25
20 For what credit is it, if when you do wrong and are beaten for it you
take it patiently? But if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you
have God's approval.
21 For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an
example, that you should follow in his steps.
22 He committed no sin; no guile was found on his lips.
23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not
threaten; but he trusted to him who judges justly.
24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to
righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of
your souls.
Gospel Reading
John 10:1-10
1 "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.
2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he
calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
4 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep
follow him, because they recognize his voice.
5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because
they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was
trying to tell them.
7 So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the
sheep.
8 All who came (before me) are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not
listen to them.
9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and
go out and find pasture.
10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;I came so that they might have
life and have it more abundantly.
Bible Study
1. "Amen, amen, I say to you,
-----The doubled Amen, when used in John, is an indication that a very
grave matter is being discussed - a matter of life and death.
1b whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over
elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
----The gatekeeper of the fold and the sheep can easily distinguish the
genuine shepherd from the intruder.
3b as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
-----This method of herding sheep is still in use in Palestine
today. Rather than being driven, the sheep are led by the shepherd.
4 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the
sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.
5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not
recognize the voice of strangers."
-----All the sheep of the village were kept in a common fold. Each shepherd
would call out his own sheep and lead them away to pasture. The sheep would not respond to
anyone but their own shepherd so there was no danger in mixing the flocks at night. The
Pharisees do not recognize Jesus, but the people of God, symbolized by the man born blind
(John 9:1-41, 4th Sunday in Lent, Bible Study - Cycle A), do.
6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what
he was trying to tell them.
-----The Pharisees do not recognize Jesus, but the people of God, symbolized
by the man born blind [John 9:1-41 (4th Sunday in Lent, Bible Study - Cycle A)], do.
7 So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for
the sheep.
-----In the first part of this reading, Jesus identified Himself as the true
shepherd of God's sheep. Now, He identifies Himself with the gate of the sheepfold. He is
applying the significance of the gate as put forth in the first verse of our reading
today. Those who have come to the fold through Him, the apostles and their successors, are
legitimate shepherds.
8 All who came (before me) are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did
not listen to them.
-----Jesus is not condemning the leaders of God's people appointed in the Old
Testament. They were not "before" Him since they were part of the descent from
God of which He is the ultimate fulfillment. Only those who come in by some way other than
the gate are the interlopers and God's sheep have recognized them as such.
9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come
in and go out and find pasture.
-----Just as the sheep and legitimate shepherds enter the fold only through
the gate, so entry is gained into God's fold, God's pasture, only through Jesus the
Christ.
10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
-----Ezekiel 34 castigates the leaders of the people as bad
shepherds who fatten themselves at the cost of the sheep.
10b I came so that they might have life
-----John 1:4 says "through him was life, and this
life was the light of the human race".
10c and have it more abundantly.
-----John 1:16 says "From his fullness we have
all received, grace in place of grace".
Meditation
Do you know the peace and security of the Good Shepherd who watches over his own? The Old Testament often speaks of God as shepherd of his people, Israel. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock! (Psalm 80:1) We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture (Psalm 100:3). The Messiah is also pictured as the shepherd of God's people: He will feed his flock like a shepherd, he will gather the lambs in his arms (Isaiah 40:11). Jesus says he is the Good Shepherd who will risk his life to seek out and save the stray sheep (Matthew 18:12, Luke 15:4). He is the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).
What can shepherding teach us about God and our relationship with him? At the end of each day the shepherd brought his sheep into shelter. They knew the voice of their shepherd and came at his beckoning. So familiar was the shepherd and his sheep, that each was called by a distinct name. In the winter the sheep were usually brought to a communal village shelter which was locked and kept secure by a guardian. In the summer months the sheep were usually kept out in the fields and then gathered into a fold at night which was guarded by a shepherd throughout the night. He was literally the door through which the sheep had to pass. The scriptures describe God as a shepherd who brings security and peace to his people. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and for evermore (Psalm 120:8). Even the leaders of God's people are called shepherds: they shall lead them out and bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord may not be as sheep which have no shepherd (Numbers 27:17). Just as a shepherd kept watch over his sheep and protected them from danger, so Jesus stands watch over his people as the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25).
Augustine writes: "He has accomplished what he taught us: He has shown us what He commanded us to do. He laid down his own life for his sheep, that within our mystery he might change his body and blood into food, and nourish the sheep he had redeemed with the food of his own flesh. He has shown us the way we must follow, despite fear of death. He has laid down the pattern to which we must conform ourselves. The first duty laid on us is to use our worldly goods in mercy for the needs of his sheep, and then, if necessary, give even our lives for them. He that will not give of his substance for his sheep, how shall he lay down his life for them?" (Tr. 46 in John, 5th century).
Reflections:
· Please re-read the phrase(s)/sentence(s) that move(s)/touche(s) you.
· 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. (John 10:1-2)
-----When I participate in the activities of the Church, do I enter
through Jesus and act out of love, or do I steal for my own pride, causing conflicts and
hatred?
· 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." (John 10:4-5)
-----Do you look to Jesus the Good Shepherd, to receive the
strength and courage you need to live and serve as his disciple?
· 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. (John
10:7-10)
------Do you know the peace and security of a life fully submitted to God?
· Imagine the state of the pen with Jesus as the sheepgate and his loving, faithful disciples as the good shepherds. What role do I play in the "pen" that is the community?
To live His Word this week:
· Pray for the Church and for all the people who has been devoting to spread the Gospel.
For Youngsters:
. Dip your finger into the holy water vase and make the sign of the Cross when you come into or leave the church.
Prayer
Lord, you always lead me in the way of peace and safety. May I never doubt your care nor stray from your ways. Keep me safe in the shelter of your presence.