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; for Jesus to confirm that He is the Christ.  They ask Jesus to talk to them in plain English.  Well, maybe not English, but in plain Aramaic. Jesus responds by telling them, I can’t make it any more plain then I already have.  If they cannot recognize him from the miracles and the authority from which he preaches, there is nothing Jesus can do to convince them that he is the Messiah.  The people who “know” Jesus, recognize him through his works and his words.  Like a good shepherd, his flock recognizes him and he knows them.  He promises those that know him and follow him “eternal life, and they shall never perish.” Because of their faith and commitment to Jesus, they are saved from the eternal fires of hell.  Sheep without a shepherd are defenseless against the evil that lurks in the world. They become easy prey to the wolves and are easily lost. This is why a shepherd lives with his sheep all the time never abandoning them. He lives with them so that they will know and recognize his voice and his actions.  Jesus dwelt among us so we would know and recognize his voice.  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