THE WORD BECAME FLESH

Monday of third week of Easter, 2021

Acts 11:1-18

Ps 42

John 10:1-10

The gate of the sheepfold

Dear friends in Christ, Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd but he is also the gate of the sheepfold. That is very comforting as we continue to reflect on his word in this week following the celebration of the Good Shepherd Sunday.

The gospel passage of today (John10:1-10) is a continuation of the celebration of the Good Shepherd which began yesterday. Jesus declared to his disciples, “I tell you solemnly, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but gets in some other way, is a thief and a brigand.” Jesus must be using the example of the community sheepfold in this teaching. This is a practice whereby, in a cooperative manner, shepherds bring their flock together at the close of the grazing day, into a common fold, which is watched over by either a paid gatekeeper, or done in turns by the shepherds. By the morning time, the shepherds return to the fold to lead their sheep to pasture. The animals know the sound of their shepherd and do not follow strangers. A great sign of the relationship and bonding between the shepherd and his flock. In yesterday’s passage, Jesus described himself as the shepherd, whose voice the sheep are familiar with. He steps it up now, to call himself the gate of the sheepfold, through which other shepherds enter to get their flock. He opens for true shepherds and not thieves. That also means that, the sheep that enters through him are safe. Jesus however said those who came before him were thieves and brigands. That calls us to reflect on the words of Gamaliel in Acts 5:35ff “Men of Israel, take care what you do with these men. For before these days Thaddaeus arose, claiming to be somebody, and a number of men about four hundred, joined him; but he was slain and all who followed him were dispersed and came to nothing. After him Judas the Galilean arose in the days of the census and drew away some of the people after him; he also perished and all who followed him were scattered.” He therefore advised that the Apostles be left alone and if their enterprise is not of God, it will crumble.

We have come in, through the gate of the sheepfold, we are following the true shepherd—the one who leads his flock to green pasture, to water and to the place of rest. We must however follow this shepherd faithfully. In all you have to do during the course of this new week, put God first. Do not follow the way of the world. Everything will pass away and we will have to give an account of our lives to God. Be brave, be a good sheep, in the flock of the good shepherd.

Let us pray: Lord help us by your grace to follow your call daily and not depart to follow the way of the thief and the brigand.

+Remain blessed