Gospel: (John 10: 1-10) 

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.  But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.  When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.”…”Amen, amen I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep…whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come and go out and find pasture. I came so that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” 

Reflection:

Jesus is the gate, the only entrance to the fold.  The image of the gate directs our attention to Jesus the Risen One  who always recognizes us and cares for us, to Jesus our Shepherd. This is where resurrection faith leads us so “that we might have life and have it more abundantly.”  Christ is truly here for us, calls us by name and leads us to life. (Living Liturgy, p.130) 

Vincentian Meditation: 

“Surely, the great secret of the spiritual life is to abandon all we love to him by abandoning ourselves to all God wishes in perfect confidence that all will be for the best…He will take the place of father and mother for you.  He will be your consolation, your virtue, and in the end the recompense of your love.”-St. Vincent de Paul- (McKenna, Praying with Vincent, p. 30) 

Discussion:    (Share your thoughts on the readings after a moment of silence)

When have we “abandoned ourselves to God in perfect confidence”, and found that Jesus is truly our Shepherd? 

Closing Prayer: 

Jesus, our Good Shepherd, you laid down your life so that we might live:

-give us the grace to know that you call us by name.

Jesus, you search out those who are lost,

-give us the grace to know that you bind our wounds.

Jesus, you carry those who cannot walk alone,

–give us the grace to know that you are always with us.

Jesus, you lead those in your flock who hear your voice,

-give us the grace to abandon ourselves to you.  Amen