Reflection on May 13th 2019
The Shepherd and The Gate
The Shepherd and The Gate
Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 42:2-3, 43:3-4; John 10:1-10
Link to Readings
Yesterday, at the Holy Mass, we heard Jesus introducing himself as a shepherd. He also said that he will never allow anyone to snatch any of his sheep from him, because it was the Father who made him in charge of the sheep. Although it was happy news for us, the bad news is if we want we can get out of his herd and follow others, since normally sheep follow the shepherd who goes in front. The shepherd keeps on talking to his sheep and the sheep follow his voice. To follow their shepherd, and not to go after other shepherds, the sheep has to be tuned in to the shepherd’s voice. Knowing the voice of the shepherd is important to us, because Jesus warns us today about thieves and bandits who come for the sheep by climbing the fence. With that danger, Jesus today assures that he is the gate to the place where the sheep are kept safe. That means to those who follow Jesus has the safety with him, unless they chose to go away.
Jesus likes to gather more and more sheep to his herd. That was why he sent Peter to the gentiles and asked to baptize them. At the first instance, gentiles were baptized with the Spirit by God himself, even before Peter baptize them with water. God is so impatient to get more people to Him and does not care about the rituals. He wants to see His sons and daughters have life, life abundantly. Some of us who are “more Catholic than the Pope” like the Jews in Peter’s time, oppose the actions of some who take the Good News and God’s blessings to other people but that is what we should do if we want to please God.
Link to Readings
Yesterday, at the Holy Mass, we heard Jesus introducing himself as a shepherd. He also said that he will never allow anyone to snatch any of his sheep from him, because it was the Father who made him in charge of the sheep. Although it was happy news for us, the bad news is if we want we can get out of his herd and follow others, since normally sheep follow the shepherd who goes in front. The shepherd keeps on talking to his sheep and the sheep follow his voice. To follow their shepherd, and not to go after other shepherds, the sheep has to be tuned in to the shepherd’s voice. Knowing the voice of the shepherd is important to us, because Jesus warns us today about thieves and bandits who come for the sheep by climbing the fence. With that danger, Jesus today assures that he is the gate to the place where the sheep are kept safe. That means to those who follow Jesus has the safety with him, unless they chose to go away.
Jesus likes to gather more and more sheep to his herd. That was why he sent Peter to the gentiles and asked to baptize them. At the first instance, gentiles were baptized with the Spirit by God himself, even before Peter baptize them with water. God is so impatient to get more people to Him and does not care about the rituals. He wants to see His sons and daughters have life, life abundantly. Some of us who are “more Catholic than the Pope” like the Jews in Peter’s time, oppose the actions of some who take the Good News and God’s blessings to other people but that is what we should do if we want to please God.