This past Wednesday we heard Jesus proclaim "I AM the Bread of Life." This Sunday we will hear him state "I AM the gate for the sheep". The next line in this passage from John, which for some reason was not included in this passage, is, "I AM the good shepherd". Jesus is speaking very clearly who he is and how he is related to the great I AM, God the Creator. The Jewish listeners of his day understood what he was saying, and as so many of them considered his statements blasphemy, this laid the groundwork for his crucifixion.
What does all this talk about sheep mean to us? In a picture I saw this week, (thank you NAFSCC, Easter Faith Sharing and Donna Ciangio, OP) a shepherd was depicted laying across the opening in the sheep enclosure. He was actually creating a gate with his body, at night, while the sheep slept. It meant that no sheep could wander out without him knowing about it, nor could a thief come into the enclosure, without his knowledge. He WAS the gate.
The picture reminded me of younger days when I was responsible for taking teens on co-ed retreats from parishes and schools. When evening came and it was time for kids to go to their bedrooms, the staff was very clear that boys would stay on one floor and girls on another and there would be no wandering around the retreat house, or into someone else's room at night. My staff, being aware that teens are still youngsters...chose a different team member each night to sleep in the middle of the stair well, so that no mischief would occur. We WERE the gate, in order to protect our young charges.
What does it mean to us today as adults that Jesus is the very Gate? Jesus promises us freedom to move in and out, and find safe pastures. The promise of freedom sounds good today, doesn't it? This freedom it seems, is only contingent on our ability and willingness to listen to the voice of the Shepherd who calls us by name--who knows us by name. The older I get the more I understand why our teachers called us 'honey' and 'dear' when we were younger...it's hard to remember so many names!
And yet, for God, it's not hard at all. How mind boggling it is to imagine that God knows each of us by our names, and wants to lead us into safe, refreshing pastures even in, or especially now, in a time of crisis in our world. Parents, I think, you most of all can understand this, because every moment of your days are filled with trying to keep your children safe, healthy and peaceful.
How do we hear God's voice in our world today? Who do we listen to in order to hear God's holy truth? Whose voice do we trust to lead us to the 'abundant life' God promises?
These are really questions well worth discernment aren't they? Voices surround us all day long, claiming to speak the truth, in politics, in church, in society, how do we know who to trust? So much noise around us, all the time, can make our heads spin. It's impossible to think clearly, let alone discern where God's truth lives.
It is at moments like this when I find myself reclaiming my belief in the most fundamental truths of our faith, the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Our tradition tells us that the fruits of the Spirit are: according to Galatians 5: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Therefore, decisions and actions I contribute to or make that lead to these wonderful virtues, must be of God and therefore, a part of God's truth, leading us on the path to abundant life.
Anything thing that leads to discord, anger, hatred and harm to another, that takes life away my brother or sister, is not of the Spirit.
When I think about the choices I make in this way, it doesn't quite seem as complicated. The Hebrew Scripture instructs us, always and at all times to "Choose Life".
So I guess that's the bottom line: we hear God's voice in those who challenge us to love one another, especially the weakest among us. It's certainly not easy, but it is what we are called to do as Christians.
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