Jesus is the shepherd who leads out the sheep to green pastures.  He is also the gate through which they can enter and go out.

That Jesus is shepherd means he walks before us to lead us, to guide us.  And that he is the gate through which we enter and leave means he is the one mediator between God and us; there is salvation in no one else.

Of course, the one who leads us to salvation and to a full and abundant life knows us intimately.  He even knows us by name.  But do we, in turn, know him truly?  Do we recognize his voice? 

And in this respect, we have to watch out.  For Satan comes in disguise as an angel of light.  Hence, we can mistake the voice of Jesus for the voice that calls us to war and violence.

Jesus also loves us in a disinterested way.  He seeks just what is good for us.  What matters most to him is to care for us and to keep us safe.  He seeks to protect and guide especially those in need of it.

As we love, do we seek what is his, those of the others?  If not, then it will mean we still have to enter through the gate that he is.  The narrow gate of his death and rising.

Lord Jesus, grant us to follow you to the end, to giving up our bodies and shedding our blood.  And to enter through you to find salvation and plenty.  Help us also to know you intimately and to recognize truly your voice.  And do not let us tire of asking you in prayer, “If you were in my place, how would you act on this occasion?” (SV.EN XI:314).  Thus, the voices of false prophets will not carry us away; they come in sheep’s clothing but are, on the inside, ravening wolves.  And we shall get away from this corrupt generation and not stray like sheep.

26 April 2026
4th Sunday of Easter (A)
Acts 2, 14a. 36-31; 1 Pt 2, 20b-25; Jn 10, 1-10