the e-Testament
John 10: 1-10
He Calls His Sheep by Name
“Let me set this before you as plainly as I can. If a person climbs over or through the fence of a sheep pen instead of going through the gate, you know he’s up to no good—a sheep rustler! The shepherd walks right up to the gate. The gatekeeper opens the gate to him and the sheep recognise his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he gets them all out, he leads them and they follow because they are familiar with his voice. They won’t follow a stranger’s voice but will scatter because they aren’t used to the sound of it.”
Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
Prayer
Through the noise of everyday life, may we find silence to hear Christ’s comforting voice.
May we ignore those willing to take us away from our path with Christ.
May we follow Christ through the times when the path seems dark and troublesome.
And may we enjoy our journey with Christ through the times when the path is bright and clear.
Amen
Reflection
Have you ever read a story and thought, ‘What was that about?’
It’s what the disciples do here. The disciples know that they have been called to follow Christ as their Vocation, but they are still learning why they’ve been called.
We are the same. We have been called to follow Christ. We have to understand who Christ is and who are those willing to steal us away from him. But to do that we have to follow him and enhance our understanding and Vocation with him.
We are being called to follow the values that Jesus teaches us through Scripture and prayer. We need to hear his voice and know that we are cared for by him.
Jonny Dearden
Salesian Volunteer