Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

 

Gospel Reading: John 10:22-30

 

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.  And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.  So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long are you going to keep us in suspense?  If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are  not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.  No one can take them out of my hand.  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father's hand.  The Father and I are one."

 

In today’s Gospel reading, the Jews are again asking for faith. And Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are  not among my sheep.” Jesus speaks of a faith that comes from within. He tells us that his true believers hear his voice and they follow him. “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.” Sheep without a shepherd are defenseless against the evil that lurks in the world. They become easy prey to the wolves and can easily get lost. This is why the shepherds live with their sheep. The shepherd protects his sheep from the dangers of the world. He guides them to safety when evil lurks. He leads them to the best places for feeding and the best streams for drinking. The sheep come to recognize the voice of their shepherd and heed his call. We too are like the sheep in the field. If we have no shepherd, we become easy prey to forces which can destroy us. Sin and Satan easily enter our pasture and rob us of our eternal life. Christ not only protects us from the evil of Satan, he also leads us to the best of places where we can feed on the "word of life" and drink from the "living waters" of his Holy Spirit. The sheep who heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, have no fear. He will lead them to the best of places – everlasting peace, joy, and fellowship with God and his people.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Lord, you are my shepherd.

You will guide me through the evil which lurks in this world.

Lead me to the pastures of eternal life.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon