The Gate

Gospel according to John  

John 10:1-10

Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. And will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

So many would want to lead but with ulterior motives. Only Jesus led with the end view of giving us life and giving it more abundantly as the Gospel tells us. Why are positions of power so attractive? Simple, they give us opportunities of enriching ourselves. No wonder so many would like to run for office: be it in the national or local level. And it is always with the wrong intentions. It takes a lot of honesty to accept that our services are tainted with selfishness and ambition: reason why, in the Church, an ambitious priest could never become a bishop. In the Church, only those who are humble and would never want positions of power are given power. Quite a paradox, don't you think?

This 2016, let us watch out for those who would run for elections. May this Gospel reading be our guide in choosing our future leaders. It is unfortunate how we were deceived by thieves and robbers! As early as today, let us study each prospective candidate and pray for light and guidance. 

And because it is Mothers' Day today, we need not look any further but on our own mothers for a good example of self-sacrificing love and service. To all the mothers in the world, HAPPY MOTHERS' DAY. May you teach your children to choose to be brave!