GOSPEL
Jn 10:11-18
The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep
Jesus said:
‘I am the good shepherd:
the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep.
The hired man, since he is not the shepherd
and the sheep do not belong to him,
abandons the sheep and runs away
as soon as he sees a wolf coming,
and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep;
this is because he is only a hired man
and has no concern for the sheep.
‘I am the good shepherd;
I know my own
and my own know me,
just as the Father knows me
and I know the Father;
and I lay down my life for my sheep.
And there are other sheep I have
that are not of this fold,
and these I have to lead as well.
They too will listen to my voice,
and there will be only one flock,
and one shepherd.
‘The Father loves me,
because I lay down my life
in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me;
I lay it down of my own free will,
and as it is in my power to lay it down,
so it is in my power to take it up again;
and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’
Good Little Shepherds.
But now He sends me to shepherd His other sheep. Shall I flee to protect my honour or my dignity? Or shall I sacrifice my life for my husband because I see him as a part of me, as the Lord does?
Applied to Married Life:
Rose: And are you prepared to do that?
James: I am prepared, yet I find myself lacking the strength. I need the Lord’s grace to fully comprehend as He does. Could you pray for me? I need to view you as a part of myself in order to protect you as a part of myself.
Rose: Saint John Paul suggests that to fully understand ourselves, we must also explore our feminine and masculine aspects. I realise that, as we are one, to fully understand myself I must also understand you. I am keen, what about you?
James: So am I.
What a beautiful image of the Good Shepherd. I want to see myself on His shoulders being carried to the Father. Praise be.