3rd Easter 2016, Thieves and Robbers

3rd Easter

John 10: 1-21

“Yes, the truth I say to you: Anyone who does not go into the sheep through the door, but breaks into the fold elsewhere, he is a thief or robber. Only he who enters by the door is a shepherd of the sheep.

To him, the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep respond to his voice. He calls each one by name, according to its nature, and he leads them out into the open.

When he has brought them out, he walks before them, and the sheep follow after him, for they trust his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but rather flee, because they do not know the stranger’s voice.”

Thus did Jesus reveal himself to them in pictures, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.

Then Jesus went on. “Yes, the truth out of the spirit I say to you. I AM the door to the sheep. All who came before me were thieves and robbers. But the sheep did not listen to them.

I AM the door. Anyone who enters through me will find healing and life. He learns to cross the threshold from here to beyond, and from there to here, and he will find nourishment for his soul. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. But I – I have come that they may have life and overflowing abundance.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who works for wages, and who is no true shepherd, whose sheep are not his own, he sees the wolf coming, abandons the sheep, and flees while the wolf snatches them and scatters them. For he is only a hireling and he cares nothing for the sheep.

I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD. I know who belongs to me, and my own recognize me, just as my Father recognizes me in the depths, and I know the being of the Father; and I offer my life for the sheep.

Other sheep have been entrusted to me who are not of this fold; I must also lead them. They too will listen to my voice, and one day there will be one flock, one Shepherd.

That is why the Father loves me - because I lay down my life that I may take it up anew. No one can take it from me.  But in full freedom I, myself offer it up. I have the power to give it away and also the power to receive it anew. That is the task given to me by my Father.”

Then there again arose a division among the people because of these words. Many of them said, “He is possessed by a demon and is out of his mind. Why do you listen to him?” Yet others said, “These are not the words of one who is possessed. After all, can a demon open the eyes of the blind?”

3rd Easter

April 10, 2016

John 10: 1-21

Christian Science Monitor

We may get phone calls from people we don’t know. Aided by machines, armies of strangers try to enter our homes, intending to convince us, or sell us something, or even scam us. They are thieves who at the very least rob us of our precious time or money and the peace of our home sanctuary. Yet there is something we can do. We can use our own technology, our caller ID, to identify who is trying to enter and simply refuse to engage.

Our own souls have their inner thieves and robbers – thoughts that disturb or distress us, overwhelming emotions that compel is to do something, now! Yet some healthy corner of our souls knows that we ought not to listen to them. We can use our own inner process of naming, identifying the thoughts, emotions, and compulsions that would try to destroy our inner peace and health.

Christ the Good Shepherd helps us fight the intrusions of thieves and robbers. He is the giver of life and health to the soul, the giver of our joys, the comfort in our sorrows. He gives us our precious allotment of time, our peace and the creativity of love. He leads us to places of inner nourishment and freedom. Through him, we can take up our own lives and give them freely.