Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief... But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd...The gatekeeper opens it, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.” - John 10:1-3
Last week in his homily for Good Shepherd Sunday Pope Francis made two mains points: Jesus calls up by name, and he leads, or sends, us out.
In reflecting on Jesus leading us out Pope Francis talked about how we are sent to build community and open doors, to be present as we said last week. “In our words, deeds and daily activities,” Francis said, “let us try to be like Jesus, an open door: a door that is never shut in anyone’s face, a door that enables everyone to enter and experience the beauty of the Lord’s love and forgiveness.”
We can take the words Francis addressed to those in attendance at the mass he celebrated last month in Hungary as ours also, “ May the Good Shepherd accompany us always: with him, our lives, our families, our Christian communities and (all…) will flourish with new and abundant life!”/“Dejémonos acompañar por nuestro Pastor; con Él, nuestra vida, nuestras familias, nuestras comunidades cristianas y (toda…) resplandezcan de vida nueva.”
This poem, The Door, by Miroslav Holub is a poetic way of thinking about the Gospel and gates.
Go and open the door./Maybe outside there’s/a tree, or a wood,/a garden./or a magic city.
Go and open the door./Maybe the dog’s rummaging./Maybe you’ll see a face,/or an eye,/or the picture/of a picture.
Go and open the door./If there’s a fog/it will clear.
Go and open the door./Even if there’s only/the darkness ticking,/ even if there’s only/the hollow wind,/even if/nothing is there,/go and open the door.
At least/there’ll be/a draft.
Showcasing SHA talent: Olivia and Ashlynn in 6th didn’t draw Jesus as the Good Shepherd but they did draw good pictures of Jesus.
God bless,
Mrs. Alhadef
Campus Minister
4th Grade Aide
Jr. High ELA Aide