April 22, 2018

Gospel: Jn 10:11-18
I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep. Not so the hired hand, or any other person who is not the shepherd, 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 takes it 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.

Lectio Divina
Read: There is no name other than the Name of Jesus that brings salvation. Peter highlights the cure of the man with a handicap as the proof. John speaks of the singular love of God that transforms us to be like Him. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for the sheep.
Reflect: How big is this family of the shepherd? How big is the sheep community? Jesus makes explicit references to other sheep that are also his, but do not necessarily belong to “this” fold, but whom he must lead as well so that finally there shall be one sheep and one shepherd. The redeeming name of Jesus is meant not just for a small group of Christians or the so-called “good,” but for the entire world. The singular love of God cannot be limited to a select few, but flows into the hearts of all. It is not God who rejects us, but we who reject God and one another in the name of God and creed. Perhaps becoming like God demands that we conform to the heart of the Shepherd who cares for all sheep.
Pray: Good Shepherd, mould my heart after yours.
Act: Listen to the God-experience of someone who belongs to a faith tradition different from yours.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018