Daily Gospel Reflection for April 26, 2021

Join us as we reflect, ponder, and pray together inspired by today's Gospel.

Today's Gospel: John 10:1-10

Recently, a woman tried to explain something to me, and I didn’t understand. I asked her to explain it again, and she repeated herself loudly. Amplification was not helping, and I grew frustrated. Have you ever felt this way?

Sometimes when we listen for God’s voice and don’t hear it, we’re tempted to believe that God doesn’t hear our prayers or speak to us. I assure you, he does, because God wants you to know Him. Today’s Gospel is an example of this truth.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus uses the parable of the Good Shepherd and introduces Himself: “I am the gate” (Jn 10:8). Jesus tells us that the thief and robber enter the sheepfold by climbing in, but “Whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep” (Jn 10:3). The shepherd calls the sheep by name and leads them out (Jn 10:4).

Jesus’ Jewish audience should have heard Ezekiel’s prophesy echoed here: the Lord will search for his sheep and “lead them out from among the peoples” (Ez 34:12-13). However, they didn’t understand.

Jesus doesn’t get exasperated though, and He doesn’t simply repeat himself loudly. Instead, ever gentle, He speaks more directly, “I am the gate for the sheep ... [w]hoever enters through me will be saved” (Jn 10:8-9).

With a quick reading of this passage, it may seem like Jesus is mixing metaphors - is He the shepherd, or the gate? He’s not mixing metaphors. He adjusts his speech and explains Himself in a new way because He wants the people to know Him.

Jesus wants you to know Him, too. He hears you and speaks to you. If ever you struggle to hear God, ask Him to speak to you in a new way and keep listening. He’ll help you understand.

Ponder:

Where do you hear God's voice?

Pray:

Lord, we want to know you. Help us to hear Your voice and persevere in prayer.

Click to Tweet
If ever you struggle to hear God, ask Him to speak to you in a new way and keep listening. #dailygospel

Copyright 2021 Elizabeth Tomlin