We have moved 23 days away from Easter. The season of Easter is in it's full swing. Personally for me, it has been season of spiritual growth. There is something about this season, which really makes me feel elated most of the times.
Moving on to the liturgy of the day. The readings of the day are as follows.
Strangely the passage our Church has selected today is a prelude to yesterday's Gospel passage which was from John 10:11 to 18 and today we have the passage from verse 1 to 10. In a sense, today is the prelude to what has already been read yesterday on Good Shepherd Sunday. I am not quite sure what is the reason for the choice of reason in such a way. The passage of Gospel has one of the first gospel verse that I ever memorised "I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly" (Jesus in Jn 10:10). It's simple to memorise and the verse 10:10 is also hard to forget. (Unfortunately, on the whole, I have struggled with my ability to memorise scripture verses).
But the passage is very beautiful. St.John puts down the characteristics of a sheep (disciple) as laid down by the Lord. My Sheep hear my voice, they enter through Me and not through any other gate. If they enter through Me, they will be saved. For me the most challenging thing for any disciple (sheep) is to listen to the voice of the Master (Shepherd). Once we are able to discern His voice, the battle is almost won. Anyone who wishes to enter this gate is free to do so...anyone is operative word. Salvation is a free gift for the whole mankind and not just for one community. This was clearly brought out in yesterday's Gospel narrative. In the first reading, St.Peter also brings out the same message when he notices that the Holy Spirit has revealed the same truth about eating meat which were considered unclean hitherto to him as well as pagans and how when he spoke to them, the spirit fell upon them as well.
Salvation is for ALL...All one needs to be is be open.
No comments:
Post a Comment