JESUS, THE SHEEP GATE THAT LEADS TO LIFE.

This Sunday we are invited to look up to Jesus the Good shepherd. To listen to him and imitate his life style as we take care of the the sheep entrusted to our care. This Sunday is also World Day of Prayer for Vocation. We are called to pray for vocation to the priesthood, religious life and deaconate. And help those who are still discerning the voice of Jesus to find him. Jesus teaches us that he is the gate through which the sheep comes in and go out freely. He is the gate that leads to life. Why does people put gates and doors in their home or community? People elects gates and doors for security and protection. To keep away unwanted visitors and protect the people. One can only go through a locked gate if the person has the key or the security code or knows someone who lives there that can let the person in. God’s grace and blessings are poured into our hearts through the gates of God’s goodness. We must know the security code that opens the gate of Gods goodness. Do you know the security code that opens the gate of God’s goodness? We may not be able to receive the things of God if the gate of God’s goodness is not opened to us. Jesus is the the gate of goodness and life. Jesus has taught his disciples to go through the narrow gate that leads to life instead of going through the broad gate that leads to death. Jesus taught them that to go through the gate that leads to life means to live by his teaching and principle. To listen to Jesus and live by his principles is to go through the gate that leads to life. To live according to the words and principles of Jesus is the key that opens the gate of goodness and life. In the gospel Jesus called himself the sheep gate. Why did Jesus call himself the sheep gate? During the time of Jesus there were several gates that leads in and out of the temple. The Bible talked about the beautiful gate that leads into the temple in which a crippled man was healed by Peter and John. But there was also the sheep gate through which sheep were led into the temple for sacrifice. Once any sheep goes in through this gate it does not come out alive. In contrast to this gate that leads to death, Jesus said that he is the gate that leads to life. The gate through which the sheep will enter and be safe. The sheep will come in and go out without harm. He is the sheep gate that leads to life because he has already being sacrificed for us. By his wounds we have been healed. His blood has ransomed us from sin and death. Through him we have life and have it more abundantly. Also in the ancient city of Jerusalem there was gate through which shepherds led their sheep to pasture. Sheep from different shepherds could go out through the gate at the same time. But each sheep knew the voice of the shepherd and follow the shepherd. They will not follow a stranger. Do we know the voice of Jesus? Can we differentiate the voice of Jesus from the voice of strangers. Can we differentiate the voice of Jesus from the voice of those who would lead us away from God? In the first reading the people heard the voice of Jesus speaking to them through the mouth of St. Peter. With repentant heart they asked, “What are we to do?” They listened to the voice of the shepherd and followed the direction of the shepherd. A good shepherd leads the sheep to a good pastures. The sheep feels safe and secure because they trusted in the direction and guidance of the good shepherd. With pictures of sheep and the gate Jesus teaches us about self-sacrifice of a good leader. Good leader provides direction, inspiration and guidance. Good leaders is confident, patience, committed, and with high moral integrity. Every leadership position has it own challenges. To be a good leader one have to listen to Jesus and keep close to him. In this Good Shepherd Sunday we pray for all those in any leadership position. May we listen to the voice of Jesus and follow him so that he will lead us to everlasting life.