The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, April 17, 2005
Fourth Sunday of Easter

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 2:14,36-41
Psalm 23:1-6
1 Peter 2:20-25
John 10:1-10

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

"I am the gate for the sheep ...Whoever enters through me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture.... I came so they might have life and have it more abundantly." (John 10:9,10)

Jesus is the "gate" for those who, like sheep, listen for Him, recognize His voice, strive to follow, and remain in Him. The Shepherd and sheep are one as the sheep rely upon their Shepherd safely going only with Him.

Jesus reveals that the Way to be "saved" is to unite ourselves wholly to Him. He eucharistically re-members us into Himself reforming us and sending us out again to "belove" others in Him. This is how He is the Gate we enter and go out from.

We "enter in" to this Eucharistic communion as one does a gate. Jesus gathers willing souls into His eternal and passionate, self giving, as He sacrificially presents Himself in love to the Father. With the immense joy of receiving this most perfect gift, the Father BeHolds His BeLoved Son in whom we are intimately made One. He sees us belovedly in His only begotten Son.

The perils of sin that besiege a soul will not suffers the terror of separation as it "listens for His voice", and remains close enough to always hear Him when He "goes out." Leaving the ninety-nine He finds the one, for the sheep knows he is not safe without his Good Shepherd.

O Lord may we desire to come in,
go out,
and remain in You,
our Gate,
and find the pasture of peace that is Your love:
sweet repose in You, Who desires that we may have Life
and have it more abundantly.
Amen.

- Mary Williams
(www.impactbydesign.biz)

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