Homily - Fourth Monday of Easter (2021) “Jesus is Our Security”
Homily - Fourth Monday of Easter (2021) “Jesus is Our Security”
I am the Sheepgate. This sounds a little strange. How can a person be a gate? But if we study how shepherds operated in the time of Jesus, we have a better understanding. We might have a sense that what Jesus is saying is that he controls the gate to the pen that the sheep are kept in. Maybe the corral the sheep are in represents the Kingdom. Jesus will let in those that are worthy.
But is that what Jesus is saying? Shepherds would be out in the pastures throughout the day with their sheep. At night it was foolish to leave the sheep out in the open. This was an open invitation to predators to attack the sheep. A wolf could come from any number of directions.
The shepherds would call their sheep into an enclosure. All the flocks would be mixed. There wasn’t a gate like we would be familiar with. There would only be an opening in the fence. A shepherd or shepherds would lie in the opening. No sheep could come out of the corral unless they went past the shepherd. No wild animal could come in unless they would overwhelm the shepherd.
We can imagine the dangers that were present in the middle of the night. The shepherd would be armed with a club and a sling shot. Those were the weapons they would used to drive away wild animals. This had to be a frightening situation. The shepherds had to be brave if they were going to protect their sheep. Shepherds were strong and tough.
Jesus tells us by his words that he is the one who protects us. If we have a relationship with him, we are safe. As long as we seek to be obedient to him, we will not have to worry. Our problem is that we want to go our own way. Pride and arrogance can lead to unnecessary misfortune. We can try to run out of the sheepgate and go our own way.
We need to trust in divine providence. If we do, we will find rest and all the things can give us a sense of peace.
Reflection Questions:
- Do I have a sense that being free and independent are what will make me happy? What happens when I try to go it alone?
- Is Jesus someone I can trust? Why do I have confidence in him? Why don’t I?
Dear Parishioners,
One of the ministries that has not stopped during the pandemic is our gardening ministry. Spring is here and we once again need volunteers to take care of flower beds around our campus. Our grounds are an oasis in the urban landscape of our neighborhood. Many people walk through and enjoy the quiet and the green space in the midst of the city. But it takes a lot of work to keep things looking presentable.
If you have a green thumb and could help, we would appreciate it. Just call our office and you will be put into contact with Cliff Zerull who is the head of our gardening ministry. Tools and other resources will be available for your use. All we need is your time.
May Our Lady and all the Angels and Saints watch over you today.
Fr. Mark