4th Sundayof Easter Year A - 30/4/2023 - Gospel: John 10: 1-10
Voice Recognition
There are two sets of images: The constructive images which are in contrast to the destructive ones. Each set of images represents a way of life. Jesus is known as the Good Shepherd, the sole Master of the constructive, loving, and safe way of life
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Images of the good shepherd and sheep, pasture and care, security, and eternal life all are derived from Jesus' teaching. They are images of his loving care for those who follow his way of love, and compassion. He isn't just simply talking about the model of the good shepherd, but He actually carried it out. He died and gave his own life to give life and eternal life to His followers. His way of life is the best, and there is no other besides His. In contrast to Jesus' way of life; all other human ways of life contain selfish ambition. In theory, they are inviting and attractive; but when put into practice, they have lots of deficiencies; especially the way of thieves and bandits. Modern technology conceals faces of thieves and bandits. They don't know their victims and their victims don't know them. Their ways ruin both the lives of their victims and themselves. Constructive and destructive ways are not mixed, but are separated by invisible fences and gates. They are invisible fences and gates; because they are the restrictions within one's mind and heart. When a heart follows the loving way of Jesus, that heart is free; that heart belongs to Jesus; and that heart is under his loving care and love. When a heart is led by selfish ambition; instead of God's love and mercy, that heart loves worldly material for joy and security; and that is the way thieves and bandits conduct their lives. A destructive way of life is influenced by the forces of darkness, and their actions are evil. They prefer darkness, not light. They know their activities are not right, and unacceptable by any society, and yet they interpret love and compassion in their own way. They are the victims of their own intellect. Jesus condemns not them, but their way of life. He loves them so much that makes himself available at the gate to wait for them. Whenever they change their way of life; they can return to him. As a gatekeeper, Jesus acted as if he was the front desk person, who was the first to receive all incoming and outgoing messages. He made himself available day and night for his followers whenever they need of him. He allows his followers to move in and out freely. He knows them by name and they know his voice. Voices appeal to cultures, traditions, and nationalism that shape our way of thinking. They are our identity, and we need them. They are good when they are not being twisted for political gain. We need to learn God's voice through daily prayer, the Scriptures, the Eucharist, and the Sacraments of the Church. Tuning our ears towards God's voice to be familiar with his voice, to hear and understand God's will.
Jesus tells his followers, that he came to give them life. It is not just simply an ordinary life but life in abundance. The Good Shepherd dies for his sheep. He is a leader volunteering to die to give life to his followers. When his enemies arrive to arrest him; he gave them the command, 'Take me but set my people go free' Jn 18,8. He is a leader who pardons his friends' weakness, who betrayed him in time of need. His first statement after rising from death to them was, 'Go and tell my brothers that I will see them at Galilee', Jn 20,17. When he appears to them, his first word was not condemnation nor judgment but, 'Peace be with you' Jn 20,20. He is more than a good shepherd, but the perfect one.
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Images of the good shepherd and sheep, pasture and care, security, and eternal life all are derived from Jesus' teaching. They are images of his loving care for those who follow his way of love, and compassion. He isn't just simply talking about the model of the good shepherd, but He actually carried it out. He died and gave his own life to give life and eternal life to His followers. His way of life is the best, and there is no other besides His. In contrast to Jesus' way of life; all other human ways of life contain selfish ambition. In theory, they are inviting and attractive; but when put into practice, they have lots of deficiencies; especially the way of thieves and bandits. Modern technology conceals faces of thieves and bandits. They don't know their victims and their victims don't know them. Their ways ruin both the lives of their victims and themselves. Constructive and destructive ways are not mixed, but are separated by invisible fences and gates. They are invisible fences and gates; because they are the restrictions within one's mind and heart. When a heart follows the loving way of Jesus, that heart is free; that heart belongs to Jesus; and that heart is under his loving care and love. When a heart is led by selfish ambition; instead of God's love and mercy, that heart loves worldly material for joy and security; and that is the way thieves and bandits conduct their lives. A destructive way of life is influenced by the forces of darkness, and their actions are evil. They prefer darkness, not light. They know their activities are not right, and unacceptable by any society, and yet they interpret love and compassion in their own way. They are the victims of their own intellect. Jesus condemns not them, but their way of life. He loves them so much that makes himself available at the gate to wait for them. Whenever they change their way of life; they can return to him. As a gatekeeper, Jesus acted as if he was the front desk person, who was the first to receive all incoming and outgoing messages. He made himself available day and night for his followers whenever they need of him. He allows his followers to move in and out freely. He knows them by name and they know his voice. Voices appeal to cultures, traditions, and nationalism that shape our way of thinking. They are our identity, and we need them. They are good when they are not being twisted for political gain. We need to learn God's voice through daily prayer, the Scriptures, the Eucharist, and the Sacraments of the Church. Tuning our ears towards God's voice to be familiar with his voice, to hear and understand God's will.
Jesus tells his followers, that he came to give them life. It is not just simply an ordinary life but life in abundance. The Good Shepherd dies for his sheep. He is a leader volunteering to die to give life to his followers. When his enemies arrive to arrest him; he gave them the command, 'Take me but set my people go free' Jn 18,8. He is a leader who pardons his friends' weakness, who betrayed him in time of need. His first statement after rising from death to them was, 'Go and tell my brothers that I will see them at Galilee', Jn 20,17. When he appears to them, his first word was not condemnation nor judgment but, 'Peace be with you' Jn 20,20. He is more than a good shepherd, but the perfect one.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
