Today is Day 22 of our Reflections on the Gospel of John.  Thanks so much for listening!  To subscribe by email, go here. 

A Reflection on John 10:1-21

“He calls his own sheep by name.” (v 3)

Jesus says to us: My dear, little sheep. Oh, how I love you. Do you hear me? I am calling for you. I know your name and I know your heart. I see it all, and I call you still. I am calling you out: out of this life you are living, out of the snare of sin, out of the darkness of shame. Will you follow? Will you let go of the old and put on the new? Oh how I desire to give you the new. The new, soft heart of flesh that knows fully that it is loved. The new, pure garment of white to show the purity of the soul washed clean. It is no easy thing, to step out of what is old and comfortable. But if you trust me, if you listen to my voice, and take that first step, I will give you all of that and more. I will lead you to green pastures and still waters (Psalm 23:2). And I will always be with you.

There is another voice you hear. It is the voice of the enemy, the voice of a stranger. Perhaps it has already become all too familiar. It is the voice that whispers, “You are not enough… your sins are too much… you are not loved… you are not wanted… stay where you are because to leave would be too much risk and too much pain… you are safer here.” You need to know that that is not My voice. Listen to the voice of Love. Listen to My voice.

“I am the good shepherd… and I lay down my life for the sheep.” (10:14a, 15b)

I am calling your name, my dear, little sheep. I have already laid down my life for you. You have nothing to do but take that first step, come out to me, and let me lead you.

Prayer: Oh Jesus, I want to step out in trust, but many troubles come, many voices call that disturb my peace. Help me to close my heart to the voice of the enemy, to hear your voice, and to trust You. Jesus, I trust in You!

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.