" I came so that
they might have life
and have it
more abundantly.”
(John 10:10)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows us and desires to have an intimate relationship with us. He is the only way to salvation and a relationship with God. We are His sheep who listens to His voice (through His Word and the Holy Spirit) and following His guidance in our lives.
True fulfillment and abundant life can only be found in a relationship with Jesus. Let us cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus, recognize and follow His guidance, appreciate the protection we have in Him, and seek the abundant life that He offers.
In the vast expanse of His love so deep,
Jesus, the Good Shepherd, His flock does keep.
He knows us each, by name, by heart,
Desires an intimate relationship, never to part.
He is the way, the truth, the life,
The only path amid worldly strife.
To salvation and God, He is the door,
His love and grace, forevermore.
We are His sheep, in His tender care,
Listening to His voice, in silence, in prayer.
Through His Word, and the Spirit's guide,
In His footsteps, we abide.
True fulfillment, abundant life, and more,
Are found in Jesus, whom we adore.
In relationship with Him, we find our worth,
A taste of heaven, here on earth.
Let us cultivate this bond so dear,
With Jesus, our Shepherd, ever near.
Recognize His guidance, follow His lead,
In His green pastures, He meets every need.
Appreciate the protection, in His fold,
His love, a treasure, more precious than gold.
Seek the abundant life He offers to all,
In His presence, stand tall.
So let this be our heartfelt song,
To Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we belong.
In His love, His care, His light,
We find our joy, our strength, our might.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You are the Good Shepherd who knows us intimately. You desire to have a deep, personal relationship with us. We are grateful for Your love that reaches out to us, acknowledging our individuality and valuing our uniqueness.
You are the only way to salvation and a relationship with God. We acknowledge that there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. We confess our need for You and humbly accept the salvation You offer.
We are Your sheep, and we strive to listen to Your voice. Through Your Word and the Holy Spirit, You guide us in our daily lives. Help us to discern Your voice amidst the noise of the world and to follow Your guidance faithfully.
In You, we find true fulfillment and abundant life. You came that we may have life, and have it to the full. Help us to seek satisfaction not in the fleeting pleasures of the world, but in the eternal joy that comes from a relationship with You.
We commit to cultivating an intimate relationship with You, to spending time in Your presence, and to seeking You with all our hearts. We pray for the grace to recognize and follow Your guidance in our lives.
We appreciate the protection we have in You. As our Good Shepherd, You watch over us, protect us from harm, and provide for our needs. Help us to rest in Your protection and provision, trusting that You will take care of us.
Finally, we seek the abundant life that You offer. We pray that we may experience the fullness of life in You – a life marked by Your love, joy, peace, and hope.
In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
II: The Book of Signs
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
John 10:1-21
Gospel Acclamation
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
Gospel | John 10:1-10
1 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. 2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. 7 So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Background
John 10:1-10 is a crucial passage in the Gospel of John that presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who offers protection and guidance to his followers. This passage is part of a larger conversation that Jesus had with the Pharisees, who were religious leaders in Israel at the time.
In this passage, Jesus uses the metaphor of the Good Shepherd to illustrate his role as a spiritual leader and caretaker for his followers. The passage begins with Jesus pointing out that those who try to enter the sheep pen (representing the community of believers) through illegitimate means are thieves and robbers. He establishes himself as the true shepherd who enters by the gate and whose voice the sheep recognize and follow.
When the Pharisees fail to understand his metaphor, Jesus further clarifies his role as the gate. By declaring that he is the gate, Jesus emphasizes that he is the only way to salvation and a relationship with God. He contrasts himself with the thief, whose sole purpose is to steal, kill, and destroy, and explains that his own mission is to give life to the full.
This passage underscores the essence of Christianity—love, understanding, and unity in Christ, and highlights the inclusive spirit and charity among believers. It signifies the rapid growth of the early church, transcending cultural and ethnic boundaries.
Learning Lessons:
John 10:1-10 offers several important spiritual lessons:
Jesus as the Good Shepherd: Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and whose sheep know Him. This teaches us about the intimate relationship that Jesus desires to have with His followers.
Jesus as the Gate: Jesus declares Himself to be the gate for the sheep, emphasizing that He is the only way to salvation and a relationship with God. This underscores the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Listening to Jesus’ Voice: The sheep listen to the voice of the shepherd and follow him. This illustrates the importance of recognizing Jesus’ voice (through His Word and the Holy Spirit) and following His guidance in our lives.
Protection from Harm: Jesus protects His sheep from thieves and robbers who come to steal, kill, and destroy. This reminds us of the spiritual protection that we have in Jesus.
Abundant Life in Jesus: Jesus came to give life, and life to the full. This teaches us that true fulfillment and abundant life can only be found in a relationship with Jesus.
In summary, these verses encourage us to cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus, recognize and follow His guidance, appreciate the protection we have in Him, and seek the abundant life that He offers.
Reflection Source:
Conversation with Copilot
