John 10: Coming In and Going Out
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
Because we hear this story each Eastertide, we know this image well; yet do we listen fully to the description of the relationship between the shepherd and his sheep? And do we notice that once the shepherd leads his sheep into the fold, he then leads them out again?
When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. (Verse 4)
In Jesus’ day, it was the habit of a good rabbi to explore familiar scripture to listen for new juxtapositions and orientations. This re-working of a familiar message asks the faithful to remain awake, to sustain fidelity, to live a hope-filled and loving life that will grow in Christ. We return to Jesus’ words.
I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. (Verse 9)
We do not know the hour or day of the winnowing fork and so we are to stand ready like those who exited slavery in the great exodus with Moses (Exodus). We are to take unleavened bread and remember that we are marked with the sign of thau (Ezekiel 9:4) and respond to the shepherd’s call each time we hear his voice. In this way, we prepare to recognize the shepherd to follow him into the safety of the sheepfold . . . so that we may also follow him back through the gate and into the world.
When we compare different translations of John 10, we have a better understanding of our unique relationship with Christ as the leader who calls us into the sheepfold, so that he might lead us out into the world.
For an interesting article on the Exodus story, visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/moses-exodus.html
For more information on the sign of thau, visit the Biblehub at: http://biblehub.com/commentaries/ezekiel/9-4.htm
For more on the connection between the sign of thau and the sign of the cross, visit: http://catholicexchange.com/biblical-roots-sign-cross
Shepherd image from: https://jnwheels.com/audio-sermons/the-shepherd-and-his-sheep-john-10-audio/
Winnowing fork image from: http://huntsmansintheholyland.blogspot.com/2012/06/neot-qedumim.html
Adapted from a reflection written on August 30, 2007.
The Noontimes 