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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Is this your King?

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Solemnity of the Lord Jesus Christ, King of the Universe

Luke 23:35-43

 "And over his head they put a charge against him, which read, "This is Jesus the King of the Jews."   Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right  and one on the left."  Matthew 27:37-38

The world asks:

Is this your king?  Is this the one who rules over your life?  This one, here in the middle, bruised with flesh torn to pieces, pierced in hand and foot!  Is this your king?

Is this the one who teaches you day by day by word and action?  This one, here among common thieves, crowned not with jewels but thorns!  Is this your king?

Is this the one who gives you strength to do all things?  This one who has not the strength to speak and barely the strength to breath!  Is this your king?

Is this the creator of that is, all that has been, and all that ever shall be?  This one, here hanging on a cross, naked and bloody, the carpenter nailed to the wood!  Is this your king?

I respond:
Yes, He is the king!  He is the One who was, who is, and who is to come.  The cross is His throne!  The nails, His scepter!  His blood, the ink!  His body, the parchment upon which He signs my pardon!!(a)

Yes, He is the king!  And I, I deserve to be on the cross like those criminals!  I am nailed to that cross of life, of suffering, of struggle daily.  I too cry out with each breath, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom!"

Yes, He is the King!  He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords!  The King came to us in disguise long ago, a babe in a cave, a boy in the temple, a carpenter in the workshop.  When He returns, we shall see Him as He truly is!  Yes, I say it again, He is the King!!


How to get better at prayer.
  1. Set a prayer appointment - Set a time on your calendar each day to meet and speak with God.
  2. Slowly increase your prayer time. - Don't jump in with an hour right from the get-go.  Build up your "tolerance" so to speak.
  3. Commit - to praying and slowly increasing your prayer time for 30 days.  Mark off the days on your calendar.  If you miss a day, jump right back in, don't give up.
  4. Pray - praying is talking to God, it's spending time with your attention focused on Him.  I enjoy spending time with my children regardless of their level of development.  God is the same way.  Spend time praying as best you can.  Use formal prayers if you want or simply speak in conversation.  Don't forget to listen
  5. Journal - Our newly revised 4 Simple Steps to Better Scripture Meditations: Guide, Workbook, and Journal walks you through 4 easy steps that will help you go deeper in your prayer life.  It includes 31 days of workbook and journal pages too!
  6. Read other good books about how to pray better - Prayer Primer, Deep Conversion, Deep Prayer, Time for God, The Spiritual Life: A Comprehensive Guide to Catholics Seeking Salvation
Have you joined our 90 Day Adventure through the Bible?  It begins Thursday November 28th.  Join us and see yourself in the story of Salvation!  All the details are here!

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 * Contains affiliate links.  No, that doesn't mean that the kids should leave the room.  Rather, it means that if you click on a link, and if you purchase something, I may get some financial remuneration for that click and buy.  All that means is that my kids will finally get to eat, just kidding but I may get something in return.

 (a) This is a paraphrase of something I heard from Venerable Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen long ago and take no credit for it as my own.

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