Study and Meditations on this Sunday's Scripture Readings: May 15, 2011

[Cattitude]

****How do the sheep respond to the shepherd? How does this relate to the Pharisees’ understanding of Jesus? What does Jesus mean by likening himself to a gate for the sheepfold? Who are these “thieves and robbers”? How is Jesus unlike them? **

The relationship between the shepherd and his sheep is remarkable. We tend to think of sheep as dumb animals that just follow the rump in front of them where ever it leads, but here we learn that they know and respond to the shepherd by his voice. Sheep from many flocks would be gathered together in the same sheepfold with a “look out” at night, then the shepherds would come in the morning and call their sheep out. The sheep will only go with their own shepherd, and as Jesus says, they flee from the strangers.

What an awesome image of the relationship that God wants with us! He is not some distant God who created us then left us on our own. All we need to do is seek Him out and we can have that intimate communion where we know His voice like no other. He has given us the Church to help cultivate this relationship - the Liturgy, the Sacraments, Adoration, prayer, the saints. Its all right there for the takin’ (or should I say the receiving?).

In His analogy, Jesus says He is the gate. That is no more apparent than in this Easter season when we celebrate His resurrection in a special way. Through His death and rising, He has reconciled us to the Father. He is the way to the Father - in the sheepfold. He provides us safe passage through life as long as we stay close to Him. And look at what He promises us - pasture - green pasture according to the Psalm for today. Not just scrubby crabgrass, bothers, but abundance. Yet, do do we take Him up on this like we should?

The thieves and robbers are the Pharisees on one level, but on another level, they are any and all other “voices” that we follow in lieu of the Shepherd’s. They are the things that lead us away from greater communion with God. Often in our lives, they are the world idols that we put in front of God. The TV, internet, power, sex, money, prestige, pride and on and on that fill up the airwaves and keep us from partaking in the Sacraments, prayer and delving into Scripture because we don’t have the “time”. Do you “waste” enough time with your Shepherd?

 

[Fidelis]

****How do the sheep respond to the shepherd? How does this relate to the Pharisees’ understanding of Jesus? What does Jesus mean by likening himself to a gate for the sheepfold? Who are these “thieves and robbers”? How is Jesus unlike them? **

The relationship between the shepherd and his sheep is remarkable. We tend to think of sheep as dumb animals that just follow the rump in front of them where ever it leads, but here we learn that they know and respond to the shepherd by his voice. Sheep from many flocks would be gathered together in the same sheepfold with a “look out” at night, then the shepherds would come in the morning and call their sheep out. The sheep will only go with their own shepherd, and as Jesus says, they flee from the strangers.

What an awesome image of the relationship that God wants with us! He is not some distant God who created us then left us on our own. All we need to do is seek Him out and we can have that intimate communion where we know His voice like no other. He has given us the Church to help cultivate this relationship - the Liturgy, the Sacraments, Adoration, prayer, the saints. Its all right there for the takin’ (or should I say the receiving?).

This is an important insight, and one we were discussing in our men’s group this morning. Many stray from the Church (which is Christ’s voice on earth), but the question is: what is the reason they stray, following the voices of those who sound similar to Christ (even using his words) but are not authentically him. Is it because they do not know Jesus? And do they fail to get to know him because they do not avail themselves of the ways of getting to know him-- namely daily prayer, daily reading of Sacred Scripture, and frequent participation in the Sacraments?

In His analogy, Jesus says He is the gate. That is no more apparent than in this Easter season when we celebrate His resurrection in a special way. Through His death and rising, He has reconciled us to the Father. He is the way to the Father - in the sheepfold. He provides us safe passage through life as long as we stay close to Him. And look at what He promises us - pasture - green pasture according to the Psalm for today. Not just scrubby crabgrass, bothers, but abundance. Yet, do do we take Him up on this like we should?

The thieves and robbers are the Pharisees on one level, but on another level, they are any and all other “voices” that we follow in lieu of the Shepherd’s. They are the things that lead us away from greater communion with God. Often in our lives, they are the world idols that we put in front of God. The TV, internet, power, sex, money, prestige, pride and on and on that fill up the airwaves and keep us from partaking in the Sacraments, prayer and delving into Scripture because we don’t have the “time”. Do you “waste” enough time with your Shepherd?

All good insights-- and important questions for all of us to ask ourselves.

 

[Fidelis]

More thoughts and commentary on the Gospel Reading:

**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.

**whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber: ** The Man who enters the sheepfold stealthily is a thief and a robber, not the shepherd.

**2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep: **He is the real 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.
**
as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out: He has a name for each of them; they know his voice, therefore, they come to him. 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: **The sheep follow him, instead of driving them he leads the way and they follow him. This is a sight still to be seen today in Palestine—the shepherd going on ahead and his sheep following in a group behind him.
**
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, Cycle A), do.
**
6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them: Jesus used this simile of the true shepherd and his flock to drive home his condemnation of the, Pharisees, but they did not understand it. They could not see themselves as false shepherds. 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, 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: **The Pharisees fulfilled this to the letter when they thought they could kill and destroy the messianic kingdom forever by putting Christ to death. Ezekiel 34 castigates the leaders of the people as bad shepherds who fatten themselves at the cost of the sheep.

**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”.

**and have it more abundantly: **John 1:16 says “From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace”. The purpose of the Incarnation, the reason why God the Son became man, was that all men could become heirs to heaven and possess eternal life, life abundantly without limit.

 

[Fidelis]

Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraphs referencing John 10:1-10:

**754 **"The Church is, accordingly, a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ. It is also the flock of which God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd, and whose sheep, even though governed by human shepherds, are unfailingly nourished and led by Christ himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of Shepherds, who gave his life for his sheep.146

146. LG 6; cf. Jn 10:1-10; Isa 40:11; Ezek 34:11-31; Jn 10:11; 1 Pet 5:4; Jn 10:11-16.

764 "This Kingdom shines out before men in the word, in the works and in the presence of Christ."163 To welcome Jesus’ word is to welcome "the Kingdom itself."164 The seed and beginning of the Kingdom are the “little flock” of those whom Jesus came to gather around him, the flock whose shepherd he is.165 They form Jesus’ true family.166 To those whom he thus gathered around him, he taught a new “way of acting” and a prayer of their own.167

163. LG 5.

164. LG 5.

165. Lk 12:32; cf. Mt 10:16; 26:31; Jn 10:1-21.

166. Cf. Mt 12:49.

167. Cf. Mt 5-6.

2158 God calls each one by name.87 Everyone’s name is sacred. The name is the icon of the person. It demands respect as a sign of the dignity of the one who bears it.

87. Cf. Isa 43:1; Jn 10:3.

 

[Fidelis]

A meditation on the Gospel for practical application from* Catholic Matters*:

APPLICATION: One of the oldest paintings of Christ, in the Roman catacombs, represents Christ as carrying the injured, straying sheep gently on his shoulders back to the sheepfold. This is an image of Christ which has always appealed to Christians. We have Christ as our shepherd—he tells us so himself in today’s gospel—and we do not resent being called sheep in this context. There is something innocent about a sheep, and at the same time a lot of foolishness! But with Christ as our shepherd and the “good shepherd” who is sincerely interested in the true welfare of his flock we have reason to rejoice.

The leaders of the Jews, the Pharisees and Sadducees, were false shepherds who tried to prevent the people from following Jesus, but they failed. They then killed the shepherd but in vain. He rose from the dead and his flock increased by the thousands and will keep on increasing until time ends.

We surely are fortunate to belong to the sheepfold of Christ—his Church. We surely are blessed to have the Son of God as our Shepherd, who came among us in order to lead us to heaven. Do we fully appreciate our privileged position? Do we always live up to our heavenly vocation? We know his voice, we know what he asks of us, but do we always listen to that voice, do we always do what he asks of us?

There are many among us today who foolishly think they need no shepherd. They think they know all the facts of life while they are in total ignorance of the most basic fact of all, namely, the very purpose of life. Not that the thought of it does not arise disturbingly before their minds time and time again. But they try to smother that thought and ease their consciences by immersing themselves deeper and deeper in the affairs and the passing pleasures of this temporary life. Alas for them, a day of reckoning lies ahead, a day that is much nearer than they would like to believe. What will be their fate when they meet Christ the Judge, whom they had refused to follow and acknowledge during their days on earth?

This is a misfortune that could happen to any one of us, unless we think often of our purpose and our end in life. We have a few short years, but short though they be, we can earn for ourselves an eternity of happiness during this life. Let the straying sheep boast of their false freedom and of the passing joys they may get in this life—this freedom and these joys are mixed with much sorrow, and will end very soon. We know that if we follow the shepherd of our souls, we are on the way to the true life, the perfect life, the unending life which will have no admixture of sorrow, regret or pain. Where, Christ is, there perfect happiness is, and there with God’s grace we hope and trust to be.

 

[Crumpy]

from post 25:

We surely are fortunate to belong to the sheepfold of Christ—his Church. We surely are blessed to have the Son of God as our Shepherd, who came among us in order to lead us to heaven. Do we fully appreciate our privileged position? Do we always live up to our heavenly vocation? We know his voice, we know what he asks of us, but do we always listen to that voice, do we always do what he asks of us?

No, emphatically,

I was never told it was MY mission to bring Christ to the world. In recent times, the Church has been saying, why, oh, yes, it’s everybody’s job.

I say emphatically no, because I would have been told so, decades ago. At best we were told to support the missions. We brought our “mission money” to Catholic grade school, when it built up to $5, we were told we had ransomed a baby someplace in the world. But, that was it. Otherwise, I expect that I would have been given some instruction to do that and some guidance in how to do that.

Maybe the subject came up in the context of somebody becoming a priest or going into the consecrated life, of evangelizing.

The Catholic Church has been so “clerical” and dependent on priests, that we assumed it was their responsibility. Oh, yes, we’re not supposed to sin, I guess – we can always just go to confession. Do good, avoid evil, that was it.

 

[Fidelis]

from post 25:

We surely are fortunate to belong to the sheepfold of Christ—his Church. We surely are blessed to have the Son of God as our Shepherd, who came among us in order to lead us to heaven. Do we fully appreciate our privileged position? Do we always live up to our heavenly vocation? We know his voice, we know what he asks of us, but do we always listen to that voice, do we always do what he asks of us?

No, emphatically,

I was never told it was MY mission to bring Christ to the world. In recent times, the Church has been saying, why, oh, yes, it’s everybody’s job.

I say emphatically no, because I would have been told so, decades ago. At best we were told to support the missions. We brought our “mission money” to Catholic grade school, when it built up to $5, we were told we had ransomed a baby someplace in the world. But, that was it. Otherwise, I expect that I would have been given some instruction to do that and some guidance in how to do that.

Maybe the subject came up in the context of somebody becoming a priest or going into the consecrated life, of evangelizing.

The Catholic Church has been so “clerical” and dependent on priests, that we assumed it was their responsibility. Oh, yes, we’re not supposed to sin, I guess – we can always just go to confession. Do good, avoid evil, that was it.

Thanks for sharing your experience, Crumpy.

 

[Fidelis]

Some questions on the Readings for personal study and reflection:

* In the 1st Reading, Jesus is not called a “shepherd”, but he is given another title (see verses 36 and 39). What promise is given to those who repent of their sins and call upon his name?

* In the 2nd examples, what kind of example did Jesus set for us? What did he do for us that enable us to return to him as our Good Shepherd (see verse 24)?

* In the Gospel Reading, what do the sheep, shepherd, the sheepfold, and the stranger represent? How does the story of healing of the blind man in chapter 9 provide one example of what this story is about?

* How do the sheep respond to the shepherd? How does this relate to the Pharisees’ understanding of Jesus?

* What does Jesus mean by likening himself to a gate for the sheepfold? Who are these “thieves and robbers”? How is Jesus unlike them?

* How does Jesus’ death relate to his promise in verse 10? How does Jesus identify himself with the “good shepherd” (verses 11-15)?

* What was the turning point for you in terms of hearing “God’s voice” and responding? How do you discern his voice from all the other voices that vie for your attention?

* How does it make you feel to think of God caring for you as the Good Shepherd?

 

[Fidelis]

From the Daily Scripture Reading & Meditation website:

"I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly"
**
Scripture: John 10:1-10
**
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). Do you know the peace and security of a life fully submitted to God?

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). Do you look to Jesus the Good Shepherd, to receive the strength and courage you need to live and serve as his disciple?
*
“Lord Jesus, 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.” *

 

[Fidelis]

What Are We to Do?: Reflections on the 4th Sunday of Easter
by Dr. Scott Hahn

Good Shepherd

Easter’s empty tomb is a call to conversion.

By this tomb, we should know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah, as Peter preaches in today’s First Reading.

He is the “Lord,” the divine Son that David foresaw at God’s right hand (see Psalms 110:1,3; 132:10-11; Acts 2:34). And He is the Messiah that God had promised to shepherd the scattered flock of the house of Israel (see Ezekiel 34:11-14, 23; 37:24).

As we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus is that Good Shepherd, sent to a people who were like sheep without a shepherd (see Mark 6:34; Numbers 27:16-17). He calls not only to the children of Israel, but to all those far off from Him - to whomever the Lord wishes to hear His voice.

The call of the Good Shepherd leads to the restful waters of Baptism, to the anointing oil of Confirmation, and to the table and overflowing cup of the Eucharist, as we sing in today’s Psalm.

Again on this Sunday in Easter, we hear His voice calling us His own. He should awaken in us the response of those who heard Peter’s preaching. “What are we to do?” they cried.

We have been baptized. But each of us goes astray like sheep, as we hear in today’s Epistle. We still need daily to repent, to seek forgiveness of our sins, to separate ourselves further from this corrupt generation.

We are called to follow in the footsteps of the Shepherd of our souls. By His suffering He bore our sins in His body to free us from sin. But His suffering is also an example for us. From Him we should learn patience in our afflictions, to hand ourselves over to the will of God.

Jesus has gone ahead, driven us through the dark valley of evil and death. His Cross has become the narrow gate through which we must pass to reach His empty tomb - the verdant pastures of life abundant.

 

[Fidelis]

What Are We to Do?: Reflections on the 4th Sunday of Easter
by Dr. Scott Hahn

Good Shepherd

Easter’s empty tomb is a call to conversion.

By this tomb, we should know for certain that God has made Jesus both Lord and Messiah, as Peter preaches in today’s First Reading.

He is the “Lord,” the divine Son that David foresaw at God’s right hand (see Psalms 110:1,3; 132:10-11; Acts 2:34). And He is the Messiah that God had promised to shepherd the scattered flock of the house of Israel (see Ezekiel 34:11-14, 23; 37:24).

As we hear in today’s Gospel, Jesus is that Good Shepherd, sent to a people who were like sheep without a shepherd (see Mark 6:34; Numbers 27:16-17). He calls not only to the children of Israel, but to all those far off from Him - to whomever the Lord wishes to hear His voice.

The call of the Good Shepherd leads to the restful waters of Baptism, to the anointing oil of Confirmation, and to the table and overflowing cup of the Eucharist, as we sing in today’s Psalm.

Again on this Sunday in Easter, we hear His voice calling us His own. He should awaken in us the response of those who heard Peter’s preaching. “What are we to do?” they cried.

We have been baptized. But each of us goes astray like sheep, as we hear in today’s Epistle. We still need daily to repent, to seek forgiveness of our sins, to separate ourselves further from this corrupt generation.

We are called to follow in the footsteps of the Shepherd of our souls. By His suffering He bore our sins in His body to free us from sin. But His suffering is also an example for us. From Him we should learn patience in our afflictions, to hand ourselves over to the will of God.

Jesus has gone ahead, driven us through the dark valley of evil and death. His Cross has become the narrow gate through which we must pass to reach His empty tomb - the verdant pastures of life abundant.

 

[Fidelis]

From Presentation Ministries:

CHURCH WORKERS

“The one who enters through the gate is shepherd of the sheep.” —John 10:2

The sheepfold is the Church. We must enter the Church through the Gate, that is, Jesus (Jn 10:7). We must also enter ministry in the Church through Jesus. This not only means that all members and ministers in the Church must be baptized. It also means we all must be living out our baptism by repentance and faith in Jesus. That’s why the Church called us to renew our baptismal promises on Easter Sunday three weeks ago. How many people have entered ministry in the Church through education, professional abilities, friendship, or need, but did not enter through the Gate, Jesus?

For example, John may be the church organist because he’s a good organist, although he has no personal relationship with God. First of all, church organists ought to personally know Jesus, the Head of the Church, and then be good organists. Sandy should teach the third grade in Catholic school because she has been called by Jesus into this ministry, not only because she is a certified and capable teacher.

We have to become sheep of Christ before we can share in Christ’s ministry of shepherding the sheep.

**Prayer: **Risen Jesus, show us the difference between Your Church and a humanitarian organization.

**Promise: **Peter "kept urging, ‘Save yourselves from this generation which has gone astray.’ " —Acts 2:40

**Praise: **“Alleluia, alleluia, give thanks to the risen Lord. Alleluia, alleluia, give praise to His name!”

 

[Fidelis]

From “The Word Among Us” devotional magazine:

**Meditation: **John 10:1-10

“The sheep hear his voice.” (John 10:3)

The people who first heard Jesus compare himself to a shepherd had some background knowledge that many of us lack. They knew that when shepherds brought their sheep in for the night, they often put them into pens with other flocks. And how did shepherds distinguish their sheep from all the others when it was time to go out to pasture again? Easy. Each shepherd had a distinctive call, which only his sheep would recognize and follow.

What an apt metaphor for Jesus’ relationship with us! He is the Good Shepherd, whose sheep know to respond when he calls to them.

Or do they? Perhaps this is an area where some of Jesus’ sheep—some of us—need a bit more training. Do you believe that you have the potential of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices in the world? This gift of discernment, which is every believer’s inheritance in Christ, is developed as we imitate the first Christians, who “devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers” (Acts 2:42).

Close attention to Scripture and church teaching can help us recognize God’s voice and the kind of things he might tell us. Fellowship with other followers of Christ can build us up and give us a sounding board to help us see if our ideas are on target. Personal prayer can become a conversation where we learn to hear the voice of him who loves us best. And the Eucharist can become an intimate encounter with the Lord, who wants to lead us into a deeper understanding of his will.

Isn’t it comforting that, despite our unworthiness, we can still hear Jesus say, “I love you”? This is our Shepherd’s distinctive call. How can we possibly resist?

“Jesus, open my ears and teach me to recognize your voice in all the ways it comes to me. Then open my lips and let me be your voice to others.”

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion:

1. In the first reading from Acts, Peter encourages the people to “Repent and be baptized” so that they will experience “forgiveness” and “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We as baptized Christian have also received “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” How would you describe what you have done with this gift you’ve received? In what way has it made a difference in the way you live out your life each day as a Christian? What steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to take a more active role in guiding and leading you?

1. The responsorial psalm, Psalm 23, reminds us of the first words spoken by John Paul II after his election as Pope: “Do not be afraid.” Even though we know that the “Lord is my Shepherd,” what are the fears that can keep you from being the man of God you are called to be?

1. In the second reading, St. Peter describes Christ’s response to the unjust (“he committed no sin”) insults and sufferings he received. What is your typical response to insults and suffering, especially when you think they are unjust? Do you think it is possible to respond in the way Jesus did? Why or why not? How do you think God wants you to respond?

1. The Gospel speaks of hearing the voice of our shepherd. In what ways does the Lord “speak” to you in prayer? How do you recognize his voice? What practical steps can you take to try to become more open to hearing the Lord’s voice during your times of prayer?

1. The Gospel also gives us an unambiguous description of Satan’s role. In contrast to the role of the Good Shepherd (or Psalm 23), Satan comes “only to steal and slaughter and destroy.” How does Satan, “the father of lies and the accuser of the brethren,” use this role to destroy relationships? How might you counter him?

1. How would you answer this question posed in the meditation: “Do you believe that you have the potential of becoming so familiar with Jesus that you can quickly discern his voice from the other voices in the world?”

1. The meditation goes on to describe some ways to develop more fully this “gift of discernment.” Which of these do you need to do better in? Are there some small steps you can take to cause this to happen?

1. At the end of your meeting, pray for one another that each of you would hear more clearly the Lord’s voice in your life. Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

 

[brb3]

Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10

* The theme of God as the shepherd of Israel runs all through the Old Testament (Psalm 23:1-4, 80:1; Genesis 48:15, 49:24; Micah 7:14). Among the leaders of Israel there were good shepherds, like David (1 Samuel 17:34-36) as well as bad (Jeremiah 23:1-6).

* The Old Testament also promised that God would one day replace these corrupt leaders and shepherd his people himself (Ezekiel 34:11-16; Isaiah 40:11).  Jesus often described himself in pastoral terms as a shepherd who sought out the lost sheep and carried them home to rejoicing (Matthew 18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7; John 10). He also used the image of a shepherd in many of his other teachings (Matthew 7:15, 9:36, 25:32-33; Mark 14:27; John 21:16-17), as did the early Church (Hebrews 13:20; 1 Peter 2:25).

Questions from todays reading … John 10:1-10

1. Christ is the Good Shepherd ?
   
   And, He is also the Door to the Sheepfold, the Sheepfold being the Church of believers ?
2. So ------ We must enter the Church via Christ alone ?
3. Who is the GateKeeper of the Church [flock] ?
   
   Peter, and the subsequent Popes ?

Now … verse 16 “And I have other sheep, that ARE NOT OF THIS FOLD; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice.”

                                                             The Protestants ??

Then verse 16 continues “So their shall be ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD.”
Ecumenism guaranteed to come to pass ??

 

[Fidelis]

Questions from todays reading … John 10:1-10

1. Christ is the Good Shepherd ?
   
   And, He is also the Door to the Sheepfold, the Sheepfold being the Church of believers ?
2. So ------ We must enter the Church via Christ alone ?
3. Who is the GateKeeper of the Church [flock] ?
   
   Peter, and the subsequent Popes ?

Yes, I think that the Catechism implies this in the section cited above:

754 "The Church is, accordingly, a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to which is Christ. It is also the flock of which God himself foretold that he would be the shepherd, and whose sheep, even though governed by human shepherds, are unfailingly nourished and led by Christ himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of Shepherds, who gave his life for his sheep.146

1. LG 6; cf. Jn 10:1-10; Isa 40:11; Ezek 34:11-31; Jn 10:11; 1 Pet 5:4; Jn 10:11-16.

Now … verse 16 “And I have other sheep, that ARE NOT OF THIS FOLD; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice.”

                                                             The Protestants ??

Then verse 16 continues “So their shall be ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD.”

                                                           Ecumenism guaranteed to come to pass ??

I wouldn’t say that Jesus had the future divisions in his Church in mind when he said this. I think it might be best understood as speaking of all the Gentiles that will enter into the covenant as a result of the witness of the early Church, which was largely comprised of Jews. This is also the way the Church seems to interpret it, in their sole citation of John 10:16 in the CCC:

60 The people descended from Abraham would be the trustee of the promise made to the patriarchs, the chosen people, called to prepare for that day when God would gather all his children into the unity of the Church.18 They would be the root on to which the Gentiles would be grafted, once they came to believe.19

1. Cf. Rom 11:28; Jn 11:52; 10:16.

1. Cf. Rom 11:17-18,24.

Technically, according to the teaching of the Church, validly baptized non-Catholic Christians are already part of Christ’s flock, albiet bound imperfectly to his Church.

838 “The Church knows that she is joined in many ways to the baptized who are honored by the name of Christian, but do not profess the Catholic faith in its entirety or have not preserved unity or communion under the successor of Peter.” Those “who believe in Christ and have been properly baptized are put in a certain, although imperfect, communion with the Catholic Church.” With the Orthodox Churches, this communion is so profound “that it lacks little to attain the fullness that would permit a common celebration of the Lord’s Eucharist.”

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