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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Friends, Family, and the Gospel

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Mark 6:1-6 or Matthew 13:54-58

Who does he think he is? I know his family, they're nothing to speak of. Well, look at Jesus all high and mighty, once a carpenter always a carpenter if you know what I mean. Who is this boy to tell us about God? Go back to the wood shop Jesus! Get out of here! Go preach to your bench buddy! Try speaking to your hammer!

"A prophet is not without honor except in his native place and among his own kin and in his own house." How true this is. How many of us in our own lives have tried to speak about God or things of a spiritual nature only to be shut down by friends and family? How many of us have had real conversions and tried to share the faith with old friends only to have old sins thrown in our face? Yet at the same time, these same people may travel miles to hear a similar message from a stranger.

What is it that makes us reject those close to us and accept the stranger? Is it because it hits too close to the heart? Is it because we have a hard time forgiving or forgetting past events?

Today's Gospel challenges me to forgive and to listen. I have seen amazing conversions in my life and I recognize that God can use everyone if they are open to His grace. I have faith that God can and does work miracles through those people that I would never expect. If I am open to the workings of the Holy Spirit I will be open to God working through those I know and love. Yet, I should be ready to suffer for the sake of the Gospel. I should forgive when my past sins are thrown in my face and use that as an opportunity for reparation. I know that my witness will not always be accepted and will cause others to be angry or disown me (I lost a lot of friends because of my conversion) but I must persevere and not lose sight of the eternal reward.

Lord Jesus, give me the strength to pray for those people in my life who have rejected me because I have chosen You.

FROM THE SAINTS - Fly from bad companions as from the bite of a poisonous snake. If you keep good companions, I can assure you that you will one day rejoice with the blessed in Heaven; whereas if you keep with those who are bad, you will become bad yourself, and you will be in danger of losing your soul. - Saint John Bosco


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