John 10:11-16

Meditatio (Reflecting)

I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Oratio (Responding)

This message is one of Jesus’ many warnings about how He would be tourtured and killed. and once againt the disciples do not get it. What does it mean for Jesus to lay down his life for us? His dying on the cross is enigmatic, and it is not immediately obvious. Many, because of their lack of faith miss the symbolism and meaning. I think fulton sheen summarized it best when he said “that jesus loved us so much, that he paid a debt that he did not owe because we owed a debt that we could not pay!” Our lives are a total gift from god, and we owe god thanks and worship for this gift. But instead we sin, and reject him, and we have so damaged that relationship with Him that we are now separated from him. We cannot be in communion without reconciling our sin, but not just our sin, but all of the unrepentant, and dead, and lost souls as well. How can we reconcile a debt so large? We cant, only a supernatural being could do pennance great enough for that sin, and so god sent himself to suffer and die, and show us the way to restore our relationship. He took onto himself the sins of the whole world, and he paid the ultimate price. He sacraficed everything in order to give us a chance to have everything he ever wanted for us. Imagine that god loves you enough to do that for you. The all powerful creator of the universe, love YOU so much that he would die for you. Humbling, and astounding. Also consider the beautiful message herein about the kingdom of heaven. If we love god, and reconcile our sin with Him, we will be invited into the good sheppards flock, and you will know Jesus’ voice, and follow him, and when the end of time comes we will all be in one flock, and he will watch over us all. What a beautiful thing to look forward to.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Oh lord, help me today to hear your voice, reconcile my sin with you, and eventually to rest securely and safely in your flock in heaven.