Today - the Fourth Sunday of Easter - Good Shepherd Sunday - in the Gospel Jesus talks about sheep - gates - pasture - crooks - thieves. So what is going on here - what does this have to do with the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Isn't Easter about celebration - pastel colors - happiness. In Today's Gospel we hear - John 10:9 - "I AM the Gate - Whoever enters through Me - will be Saved - will come In and Go out - find pasture".
Yes we are still in the Easter Season - Need to remember what Easter is all about. If we back up just a few weeks - Death - Dying - Torture - Sadness - Resurrection - New Life. In today's Gospel - Jesus reminding His disciples - reminding Us - that Life in Christ means - Life. Putting our Trust in Jesus - in His Words - Knowing that He - the Lord - really Knows each of Us. He knows our voices - we know His - an intimate relationship - one that guarantees us - Life in the Fullest. No gate to separate us from enjoying Life. Freedom to come - go - In - Out - as we wish. A challenge to really act like disciples - to share His message of - Forgiveness - Healing - Love - Acceptance - Tolerance - Becoming Christ Like in our own lives. A challenge - a reality - for all things are possible with God. When He met Moses - He told him - I AM. Today He tells you - me - I Am - the Gate - I AM - Here to give you New Life.
Deacon Dale
