Gospel: John 10:27-30      Live life

On this Fourth Sunday of Easter, we hear a few short verses from the Good Shepherd Discourse of St John’s Gospel.  It is a passage which describes Jesus as the genuine shepherd who knows his flock and cares for them.  There is a beautiful line in this passage which reads: ‘My sheep hear my voice.  I know them and they follow me’.  Jesus knows each of us.  He knows our deepest desires and our worries, fears, insecurities and pain.

This should not disturb us; no, it should give us joy.  Bring to mind our deepest friendships.  What are the characteristics of such bonds?  Usually, in order to know others really well, we must spend time with them, talking and sharing, listening to them.  We become aware of their hopes and dreams, we find that we are extremely comfortable in their presence.  These people are treasures in our lives, beloved soul friends, and we would do anything for them.  Jesus too knows us intimately, and we are invited to listen out for his voice and to know that we belong to him.  This is a voice which brings peace, not discomfort or shame.  It is a voice which says to us: I want you to experience the fullness of life!

In Jesus’ time, being a shepherd was not a pleasant job, and there were many dangers involved.  At night, shepherds would wound up their sheep into a pen and lie across the entrance in case they were attacked or stolen – literally laying down their lives for their flock.  When things are not going so well in our lives, we may feel distant from others and from Jesus.  Let this Gospel be a reminder to us that Jesus is always very close to us, even when we feel abandoned.  We can share our struggles with him, for ‘no one will snatch [you] out of his hand’.

© Triona Doherty & Jane Mellet, 2021.  The Deep End: A Journey with the Sunday Gospels in the Year of Luke.  (Dublin: Messenger Publications 2021.

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“The beginning of the path to finding God is awareness.  Not simply awareness of the ways that you can find God, but an awareness that God desires to find you.  – James Martin SJ