HOMILY OF 4TH MONDAY IN EASTER — YEAR A

HOMILY OF 4TH MONDAY IN EASTER — YEAR A

HOMILY THEME: “Amen, amen, I say to you, I AM the gate for the sheep.”

BY: Fr. Mike Lagrimas

Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4; John 10:1-10

Jesus said, “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

ALSO RECOMMENDED: HOMILY OF 4TH MONDAY IN EASTER 

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find  pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.

In the Gospel of St. John, there are seven ‘I AM’ (‘ego eimi, ‘ego ‘eimi) statements pronounced by Jesus. This is the second: “Amen, amen, I say to you, I AM the gate for the sheep.” By declaring ‘I AM’, Jesus points out that He is divine. ‘I AM’ is the Name of God given to Moses at the burning bush (Exodus 3:14).
In the Gospel today, Jesus clearly identifies Himself as both the gate and the shepherd: “Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.”
Typically, a sheepfold is an area enclosed with walls or fence but has no roof, and with only one entrance. The sheep are safe within this enclosure. Interestingly, the entrance is just an opening, and it has no door or gate built into it. At night, when all the sheep are in, the shepherd sits or lies down across this entrance. His body is the protecting door. Anyone who comes in or out of the sheepfold has to pass through him.
This image brings up two important points. First, being the gate, Jesus is stating that He is the only way to salvation: “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (Jn 14:6). Jesus is the only door to happiness, to eternal life, to peace and hope. He is the only door to God.
In this world, there are many doors to choose from. All these are attractive, for they all offer happiness, success and meaning in life. But the Lord warns His disciples that these may not lead them to their true Home. There are many voices that sound nice and inviting, but these may not be the voice of the true shepherd. There are, in fact, many false shepherds who have no aim but to deceive and take advantage of the sheep.
And secondly, the image of a door or gate always connotes safety and protection. Being the Good Shepherd, Jesus does not only provide food and nourishment, but also complete protection for His flock. While the other shepherds flee when wolves attack the flock, He is ready to face all risks and dangers, even to the point of giving up His life for the safety and well-being of the flock: “I will lay down my life for the sheep.” He is, in effect, telling those who try to harm the flock: “If you want to get to my sheep, you can only do so over my dead body!”
It is, indeed, so heartening to hear this Gospel passage today. Jesus is my personal Good Shepherd. He provides for everything. He protects me even to the point of laying down His own life for me. So, therefore, what more do I need? What am I still afraid of?
Actually, to be honest about it, the reason why many of us continue to have doubts and fears is mainly due to our weak and shallow relationship with Jesus. This is what He clearly implies when He says, “The sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.” Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are the flock He tends so lovingly. There is no question about that. But the question here is: Do we recognize His voice? Do we follow Him faithfully?
We have lingering doubts and gnawing fears, not because Jesus lacks love and care, but because we lack personal knowledge of and intimate relationship with Him. The Apostle John points this out in no uncertain terms: “There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear because fear has to do with punishment, and so one who fears is not yet perfect in love” (1Jn 4:18).
Needless to say, we need, therefore, to deepen our relationship of love with Jesus. Reflecting on the Word of God in deep silence and prayer will definitely help us know more about Him. But more importantly, communing with Him in the Eucharist will make our relationship with Him truly personal and intimate. St. Teresa of Avila gives this advice: “When you have received Holy Communion, close your bodily eyes so that you may open the eyes of your soul. Then look upon Jesus in the center of your heart.”

FOR A SIMILAR HOMILY, CLICK HERE >>>>>

Dear friends in Christ, We have been sustained by your Charity for the past 11years. Here we are saddled with annual bills. Please, be kind to us with your donation. Click on the “Donate” button to get started. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!