I AM THE GATE

IV EASTER SUNDAY – John 10:1-10

This fourth Sunday of Easter is also called the 'Good Shepherd Sunday’. We fix our eyes on Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd who leads us to fresh and green pastures, where he gives us repose. 

In the first reading, Peter gives a brief summary of the essential tenets of our Christian faith. The Crucified rose from the dead and is seated at the right hand of the Father, who made him Lord and Christ. He is the Saviour and the Redeemer. This is the basic proclamation of faith, which has implications for us who hear it: we must repent, be baptised in the name of Jesus and then receive the Holy Spirit, the great gift of God’s love. And Peter ends his message with a clear warning to all of us: “Save yourselves from this perverse generation.” (Acts 2:14, 36-41). Indeed, this world we live in is full of perversity and corruption. We may be taken in very easily; thus, we must be on the alert, being guided by Christ, who is the true Shepherd that takes us to the wells of salvation. Jesus Christ suffered for us; he passed through threats, insults and torture. “He was bearing our faults in his own body on the cross so that we might die to our faults and live for holiness; through his wounds you have been healed.” Like sheep gone astray, we were lost, and he came for us, becoming “guardian of our souls” (1 Peter 2:20-25).

In the gospel, Jesus presents himself as the gate, through whom we may pass and find safety. In a different passage, Jesus advised his disciples to pass through the “narrow gate” (Mt 7:13). Jesus is the gate, but, like him, we must carry our cross, having a share in Jesus's sufferings. We must be sure that, going through him, we will be welcomed in Paradise.

The Lord is my shepherd;

  there is nothing I shall want.

Fresh and green are the pastures

  where he gives me repose.

Near restful waters he leads me,

  to revive my drooping spirit.

Psalm 23