May 3, 2020
Sunday Nomba Four for Easter (Year A)
Readings for Today
“But anybody wey enter through di gate na di shepherd of di sheep. Di gatekeeper dey open am for am, and di sheep dey hear im voice, as di shepherd dey call im own sheep by name and lead dem comot. ” John 10:2-4
Four things happen for dis story:
First, di gatekeeper open di gate for di shepherd.
Second, di shepherd call im own sheep by name.
Third, di sheep hear im voice.
Fourth, di shepherd lead di sheep through di gate.
Who be di “gatekeeper?” Saint Augustine talk say one answer to dis question na say di gatekeeper na di Holy Spirit. Di work of di Holy Spirit na to open our mind to di truth, to help us understand Scripture more deeply, and so, to understand Christ Himself more deeply. So, di Holy Spirit go open your mind and your heart make you know and love Christ as your shepherd, if you allow Am.
Once dis happen, Jesus, di Good Shepherd, go call your own name. No be with voice wey your ear fit hear, but through di gift of faith. You no be just one sheep among plenty sheep; instead, you be di one wey dear to Am, wey E know and love for one close and personal way. So, dis passage dey call us to get close and personal relationship with Christ, di Good Shepherd.
As we know say Christ love each of us for one close and personal way, and say E dey call us by name, dis dey invite us and encourage us to listen. You dey listen? And if you dey listen, you dey hear? To “hear” Christ dey speak to us for dis close and personal way suppose move us to act.
Which action? To allow Am lead us. Normally, shepherd dey walk behind di sheep, and dem dey run go front. But for dis story, Jesus, di Good Shepherd, wey dey call you by name, dey lead you “through di gate.” Jesus Himself na di Gate. God dey call us make we become one with Am and, through Am, enter di bosom of di Father for Heaven. Through Am, we dey enter new life itself, life wey we dey united with Am wey be our Shepherd.
Today, reflect on dis journey wey get four parts, wey God dey call you to follow. Pray to di Holy Spirit make your mind and heart open to know and love Christ. Then, for prayer, listen make you hear Christ speak to you. Hear Am, respond to Am, and allow Am draw you enter His open heart wey get perfect love.
Holy Spirit, abeg open my ears to di Voice of di Good Shepherd and my mind to everything wey E dey talk. My precious Lord Jesus, You be my Shepherd. Today, I choose to follow Your voice when You speak, with complete trust as I surrender myself totally to You. I love You, my Lord, and I thank You because You love me with care wey tender and close like dis. My Good Shepherd, Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Saint for Today – Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Dem no dey celebrate dem as liturgical memorial dis year because di day fall on Sunday
