Gospel: Jn 10:11-18
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JESUS said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.”
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Jesus is the good shepherd: He personally provides, guides, protects, and cares for his sheep. He certainly fits the image in Psalm 23: The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I lack. In green pastures he makes me lie down (“I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never hunger” [Jn 6:35]); to still waters he leads me (“The water I shall give will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” [Jn 4:14]); he restores my soul (“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest” [Mt 11:28]). He guides me along right paths (“How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to life” [Mt 7:14]).
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SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2020,” ST. PAULS Philippines, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 895-9701; Fax 895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.
