that man is a thief and a robber

Monday, May 4, 2009 Easter Weekday

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel: Acts 11:1-18 Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-4 John 10:1-10 or 10:11-18

 

John 10:1  "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber;

 

This has perhaps caused much debate over the centuries.  We must enter through the door, but what is the door?  Jesus says he is the door.  But what does that mean?

I think that it means that he is the one that gets to decide who goes in and out.  We like to think that we can be saved by our knowledge of Christ, but he doesn’t say that we are saved through knowledge, but through him.  We must then, be with him.  How do we get to be with him?  According to Jesus it is through obedience to his word.  That is what it comes down to.  The thief and robber would like to make their own rules rather than follow Jesus’.  They will tell us all sorts of things that contradict what Jesus has said.  We must be careful who we listen to, a charismatic speaker, or Jesus.

 

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to listen and to know that it is you speaking and then give me the strength to follow.

Amen