The Good Shepherd

Gospel

John 10:11-18

The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep

Jesus said:

‘I am the good shepherd:

the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.

The hired man, since he is not the shepherd

and the sheep do not belong to him,

abandons the sheep and runs away

as soon as he sees a wolf coming,

and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep;

this is because he is only a hired man

and has no concern for the sheep.

‘I am the good shepherd;

I know my own

and my own know me,

just as the Father knows me

and I know the Father;

and I lay down my life for my sheep.

And there are other sheep I have

that are not of this fold,

and these I have to lead as well.

They too will listen to my voice,

and there will be only one flock,

and one shepherd.

‘The Father loves me,

because I lay down my life

in order to take it up again.

No one takes it from me;

I lay it down of my own free will,

and as it is in my power to lay it down,

so it is in my power to take it up again;

and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’

Reflection

In today's reading in all 3 paragraph Christ talk about laying down his life for us to gain our love and the Father's love. How can we return the favour? In the passage Christ gave the answer . The first is to defend Christ no matter what is the circumstances.Secondly we must identify ourself as followers of Christ. Finally we must gain the Father's love through our word and action. Are we willing to meet all three things that Christ did?

Let us pray

Lord Jesus today you showed us what it takes to have a personal relationship with the Father. Give us the strength to live our life the way it should be with you the centre of our life.

Amen

Comments

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