The Sheepfold and the Voice of the Shepherd

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Stone sheepfold John 10:22-30 Recently my boys have been spending a great deal of time outside in the area that will soon be transformed into our garden. They spend endless hours digging in the dirt for worms. They then promptly take those worms and throw them to the chickens. It amazes me how even chickens can learn to recognize sounds or voices. My oldest makes this funny high-pitched sound when he comes out of the house and heads toward the coop. The chickens practically fall over themselves running toward the fence or out of the coop when they hear him making his sound. They know there is food to follow! In Sunday's Gospel Jesus tells us that, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me." and "I am the gate for the sheep." Today, again, Jesus mentions that His sheep know His voice and follow Him.  In these few verses we learn that Jesus is both gate and shepherd for the sheep. In those days and even today in some places, a sheepfold w
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Living the Gospel

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Readings for Wednesday of the Twenty-seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time

Whenever I read a letter from St. Paul I always try to read it as though the letter was written to me. In reality, it was written for and to me and you. The last verse from the letter to the Galatians has a powerful punch and firm reminder to live a life that reflects the dignity of being a son or daughter of God. This verse, especially when paraphrased to address me directly, as I will do below, reminds me that I am to live the Gospel and with my life bring others to Christ. It reminds me of what nudged me back into the Church; the witness of those faithfully following Christ.

"Jim, if you, though a Catholic, live like the rest of the world and not a Catholic, how can you compel the world to live like a Catholic*?"

*Catholic - one who believes, practices, and holds true all that is taught by Jesus Christ through the Catholic Church especially by the instructions of the Magesterium. (definition provided for those politicans and others who claim to be Catholic while dissenting from official Church teachings)

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