In our Gospel this week, Jesus presents the powerful image of the shepherd and the sheep. He contrasts the true shepherd with those who enter the sheepfold by other ways – thieves and bandits who come only to steal and destroy. The true shepherd, however, enters by the gate, calls his sheep by name, and leads them out. The sheep recognise his voice and follow him because they trust the one who leads them.
Jesus then deepens the image by declaring, “I am the gate.” Through him the sheep find safety, nourishment, and life. Those who enter through him will be saved and will find pasture. The contrast is clear: while the thief comes only to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus comes so that his followers “may have life, and have it abundantly.” The abundant life that Christ offers is not merely a comfortable or prosperous life; it is a life shared with God, a life shaped by love, service, and faithfulness.
Our following Christ is the imitation of him in the total reality of his life, death, resurrection and glorification. To follow the shepherd is not simply to listen to his words, but to walk the path he himself has walked. It means walking in his footsteps – an activity which we can do only individually and personally. Each disciple must respond freely to the call of the shepherd and follow him within the unique circumstances of his or her own life.
This following involves applying in our own individual circumstances the same attitude which we know Jesus had during his mortal life: doing good, serving others, and suffering injustice patiently out of love for his Father and for others. The voice of Christ calls us to live with the same generosity and faithfulness that marked his own life.
Jesus does not guide us only through words spoken in the depths of our hearts, though indeed we listen to his voice with the ears of faith. He has also given us something more visible and concrete: an example we can see with the eyes of faith. In his actions – his compassion for the poor, his forgiveness of sinners, his willingness to suffer for others – we see the path we are called to follow.
To walk through the gate that is Christ is to enter a life shaped by his love. In following the Good Shepherd, we discover the fullness of life that he promises.
Fr Stephen Berecz
