This Sunday is called “Good Shepherd Sunday,” because each year, the gospel comes from John 10 and shows Jesus as that “good shepherd.” (John 10:1-10) However, there is a variation on that theme, because Jesus also refers to himself as a “gate.” When shepherds were out in the country, they would herd the sheep into a walled enclosure that had one entrance but no door or gate. After herding them inside, he would lay across the entrance so that the sheep couldn’t get out and no wolves could enter. Then in the morning, he would lead them out to eat. Thus, the shepherd would protect them by night and feed them by day. That is what Jesus does for us, if we let him. He wants to protect us from the forces of evil and feed us with his grace through the sacraments. Why? Because as Jesus says, “I came that they might have life and have it to the full.” If we want the fullest experience in life, we can’t get it from power, pleasure, money, possessions, or honor. We can only get it through Jesus.
- Fr. Carl
“An undertaking, to be pleasing to God, must have three conditions:
It must be sincere, selfless and persevering.”
~ From “Thoughts of the Cure D’Ars”
