John 10:1–10
"Very truly, I tell you, anyone who
does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a
thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the
sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He
calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his
own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his
voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they
do not know the voice of strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with
them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus
said to them, Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came
before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am
the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and
find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that
they may have life, and have it abundantly. "
Reflection
Our prayer trains us to recognize the voice
of our good shepherd. How do I pray?
How I distinguish the voice of the Lord
from the other voices that appeal to me?