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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Infinite Mercy

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Matthew 18:21-35

Since I have two younger brothers this Gospel passage always makes me smile. In the previous passage Jesus told Peter and the disciples that if “your brother sins against you go and tell him his fault between you and him alone.” This is all well and good if he sinned against someone else or you see him partaking in sinful behavior. However, when the sin is really against you, and you have confronted him about it, and he asks for forgiveness, how many times must he be forgiven?

I can easily imagine Peter and Andrew arguing even while they walk with Jesus from town to town. That’s just the way brothers are. I can almost see Andrew start to say something to Jesus when Peter poses his question, “how many times do I have to forgive him?” And I can also imagine the smiles on Jesus’ and Andrew’s faces when Jesus replies to Peter.

This again is another hard teaching. It is one of those teachings that remind me of Jesus’ divinity. No mere mortal man would come up with an answer like this one. Jesus tells me that I must forgive unto infinity. My fallen nature desires a limit. My sinfulness wants to forgive a certain number of times and no more! But God desires that we imitate His mercy and His mercy is infinite.

Jesus knew that this would be a hard teaching for me and for His followers so he adds a parable that gently reminds us all of the forgiveness we have received. My debt is, humanly speaking, unpayable and yet Jesus forgave that debt by paying the price on the Cross. My choice is frighteningly clear. I must imitate the master and show the same mercy to all that He has shown to me. Quid retribuam Domino pro omnibus quae retribuit – how can I repay the Lord for all he has done for me? By showing mercy!

A debt too large to pay,
Upon my wretched soul,
Squandered grace,
Mispent gifts,
Before the judge my call.

Mercy was my plea,
With tears falling down,
More time,
More work,
Payment would be found.

My judge's heart was moved,
To wipe clean the slate,
No prison,
No debt,
A merciful turn of fate.

Now I must do likewise,
To those who beg of me,
For time,
For patience,
Since God has set me free

Seven times is not enough,
To forgive my brother's sins,
I've sinned,
Been forgiven,
I must do the same for him.

Seventy times seven,
Or always, every time,
Mercy,
Mercy,
Mercy is God's mind.

His Kingdom is built on mercy,
Yet justice too will come,
Repent,
Repair,
Reclaim your place as son.

FROM THE SAINTS
Force yourself, if necessary, always to forgive those who offend you, from the very first moment. For the greatest injury or offence that you can suffer from them is as nothing compared with what God has pardoned you. – Saint Josemaria Escriva


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