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John10_1_JesusTheGoodShepherd

John 10:1-10

Chrysostom asks us to observe the marks of the robber: he does not enter openly, and he does not enter according to the Scriptures, which are the door. The Shepherd guards us and does not let the wolves come after us; Scripture is a sure door which bars the passage against heretics; by Scripture we can know what is and is not truth. St Augustine reminds us that the sheepfold in the Church; whoever would enter by the sheepfold, let him enter by the door and preach Christ; but let him seek the glory of Christ, not his own. The one who imitates the suffering of Christ, who is acquainted with his humility is the one who knows Christ. St Cyril reminds us that the Lord is the door and keeps it and those who guard it for him. We are amidst wolves, and we need our shepherd, who has gone before us and suffered the severest pains which the world has to give. But what do we offer to him?

Augustine asks whether all those who heard Christ’s voice were his sheep? Judas heard, but he was a wolf in sheep’s clothing; and those who crucified him may have heard him, but they were not his sheep. The Lord knows those who are his, even when they do not know they are his. But those that endure to the end shall be saved. If Jesus is the Good Shepherd, he reminds us that there are bad one; there are thieves, robbers and hirelings who will trap the unwary and lead them astray. Those who preach the Gospel but do not live it are false shepherds. He came that we should have life, and if we will follow him, he will guard and guide us.

That those who heard him first did not understand immediately reminds us of the need for a shepherd; we cannot save ourselves, we are lost without Christ. If we listen, we shall hear his voice.