Gospel Reading
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth
his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not
the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth
the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The
hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I
am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As
the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for
the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not
of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there
shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Gospel Commentary
Note the contrast between the Good Shepherd who gives His life for the
sheep, and the hireling who leaves the sheep when the wolf comes. The hireling holds his life more dear than
the sheep, yet Jesus did not hold His life more dear. With these words the Lord directs His sheep
to take notice of His great care for them, and also a warning against
unfaithful pastors. At the same time all
sheep can see the great difference between the love of our Good Shepherd for
us, and our inconsistent love for Him.
Let us not be unfaithful in our high calling to follow Christ, and let
us not deem our life more precious than the life He gave for our soul. As for the other sheep of another fold, these
are the Gentiles in other nations who did not believe, but God by the Gospel
called them into His True Church. This
passage in no way promotes unionism of different denominations (as many
suppose). Rather there may be various
folds, but only one flock!
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