My Sisters and Brothers:
In today’s Gospel Jesus called himself “the gate for the sheep,” and he said whoever entered “through him” (i.e., through the gate), “would be saved.” In contrast, and with some very direct criticism of the Pharisees, he said “those who did not enter the sheepfold through the gate, but climbed over elsewhere, were thieves and robbers” (see John 10:1-10). I believe Jesus wants us to make these very same distinctions!
The Pharisees were the “religious leaders” of Jesus’ time who claimed to have knowledge of God, but who in fact led people away from understandings of true spiritual realities; consequently, they had prevented others from being “saved.” Through his “sheep-gate” analogy, Jesus asserted the Pharisees sought “to enter the sheepfold elsewhere, and over the fence.” Of course, they did so with malice, and apart from God’s will. He said the Pharisees “came only to steal, to slaughter, and to destroy.” In this teaching, Jesus therefore warned others about such “thieves,” and instead encouraged his disciples to trust only in him, and in those faithful to him. This was because, as “thieves and robbers,” the Pharisees were “strangers” to the “sheepfold” (i.e., aliens to God and his people); thus they were “religious interlopers,” and so were a genuine threat to Jesus’ wholesome and all-embracing promise of “salvation” and the fullness of life for all. Jesus said: “Those saved would come in through the gate, and they would go out and find pasture.” As such, they would “have life and have it more abundantly.” I believe the promise of “abundant lives” made to the disciples would have included both those lives lived within the “pasture” of earth, as well as those enjoyed in the future heavenly glory. Because of their corruption, the Pharisees couldn’t deliver on either.
As we contemplate the message of this Gospel, we may wonder if there are contemporary “religious leaders” who might have as much malice as those Pharisees of old. And so, even in our own time, we might then question those “leaders” who seem to threaten the mission and the good works of our own churches and of our faith communities. Might such “leaders” be present even in our own parishes (and God forbid, even at higher levels of our Church’s authority structures)? And if so, how might we avoid their negativity and their destructive influences upon us? Although these are not easy questions to ponder, I believe doing so may help us to hold steadfast as faithful followers of the Lord Jesus! Shouldn’t we therefore remain “on guard” against false teachings and those “leaders” who promote them? After all, don’t we always desire to enter through “the gate to the sheepfold” Jesus promises to be for us?
But who can we trust? In answer to this, it seems to me the part I mentioned about remaining “on guard” requires a great deal of diligent prayer, study of the Scriptures and Church teachings, discernment of “the times,” and responsible confidence in those chosen to lead our contemporary Church (on this point, I’d like to say thank God for Pope Francis!). If we persevere in these things, and at all times remain vigilant, then I believe we’ll certainly be able to recognize Jesus clearly as “the sheep-gate.” In this way, we’ll also receive all the guidance we need in order to enter the “pastures of abundant life.”
My friends, let’s always strive to live the Christian faith with true devotion! Let’s avoid those “thieves and robbers” who would desire to lead us astray; instead, let’s constantly strive to pass correctly through Jesus, because he is our “sheep-gate,” and he is our true Savior! And as faithful members of “the flock,” may the promised “salvation” be ours forever!
Praise God! Friar Timothy
Find me on Facebook by clicking on the following link: http://www.facebook.com/frayteo
No comments:
Post a Comment