A part of the task that Jesus had to perform was to help his disciples to understand how they (and we) must live and act in order to allow His light to shine in our lives. He used the image of a sheep pen (something that would have been very familiar to them) to illustrate his point: 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 (Jn 10:1-2).
The human heart will naturally seek out independence. There is an attitude that seems innate within us that, if untrained, will lead each of us to seek out our own goals, our own happiness - even if it means that we do so to the detriment of all other people around us. This is the reason why all human concepts of community must include clear definitions of the limits within which that community is to function.
Jesus' idea of community is based on the limits of love. If we want to live as his disciples, we must recognize his place of prominence in our lives. This place of honour is not based on any sense of competition but purely centred around his love for us. However, if we are unable or unwilling to recognize him as the source of this self-giving love, if we somehow try to set our own rules for belonging within the community of disciples, we are like thieves and robbers (cf Jn 10:2).
Let us pray today for the grace to enter through the gate (cf Jn 10:1), to be thankful for all that we have received and trusting that our Shepherd will never lead us astray.
Have a great day.
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