Holyrood Church 715 West 179 Street, Upper West side Manhattan, USA, 212-923-3770

Do we trust that Jesus will protect us at all costs?

 
Reading: I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. John 10:9a
 
Good morning, Happy Monday, and many blessings my dear family.
 
In today’s Gospel (John 10:1-10) Jesus again identified himself as a shepherd. The shepherd was the individual who spent most of his life with his sheep. It was his responsibility to protect and lead the sheep.  The shepherd made sure the sheep had sufficient water to drink and grass to eat.  He also protected the sheep from wolves and other predators.

Jesus uses rich images from daily life to illustrate the depth of his desired relationship with us. On the one side, Jesus speaks of shepherd and sheep, gatekeeper and gate, pasture and life, recognition and salvation. The contrasting words are: strangers, thieves and bandits, killing and stealing, running away in fear instead of following, climbing in rather than walking through the open gate.

The people do not understand the parable, so the Lord explains it: all must come through him to obtain true life. We could reflect on what it is or who it is that prevents us following the Lord.

The shepherd’s life was one of constant movement. After the sheep ate all the grass in one pasture, the shepherd moved them to another green pasture.  The shepherd’s life also was a lonely life.  For weeks, the shepherd’s only companions were his sheep.  Since his sheep were his closest companions and friends, most likely the shepherd came to know his sheep well.  He knew which sheep were docile and he also recognized the unruly and stubborn sheep.  The shepherd was committed to caring for each of the sheep, even the aggravating ones.
 
Usually the shepherd had a very strong bond with his sheep. He not only was responsible for them, he truly cared about his sheep and perhaps even came to love them.  In some ways, the sheep became the shepherd’s family.  They were his constant companions.  The sheep only would follow the voice of their shepherd. They would not follow another person.  The bond between the shepherd and the sheep was very strong and real.
 
Jesus is our shepherd.  Jesus sticks with us no matter what.  He is committed to caring for us and leading us.  Jesus comes and finds us when we are lost and afraid. Jesus will keep looking for us until he finds us.  Do we have the same strong bond with Jesus as the sheep have with their shepherd?  Do we recognize Jesus’ voice when he calls us?  Do we listen for his voice?  Do we trust that Jesus will protect us at all costs?
 
What lifts your spirit, satisfies your soul, gives you lasting peace and fills you with life? What seems to be just the right fit for you? These are moments that come from the presence of Christ in you. Today may we take time to thank Jesus for loving us so deeply.  May we also thank Jesus for his tender care and protection.  Jesus is our shepherd.  We can depend on him always!
 
Blessings,
 
Luis+

Date news: 
Monday, May 9, 2022 - 08:45

Ministry at the time of Coronavirus (Covid 19): Prevent, cure and accompany

Now we have to shape what some have started calling; The Church at Home. Although I keep asking myself; What do those who do not have a home do? For this reason, at the same time, I am declaring today in our Holyrood Church a Lenten day of prayer, fasting and reading the Bible in the Time of the Coronavirus.

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