THE DOOR TO ABUNDANT LIFE

Reflection for the 4^th Sunday of Easter

(Acts 2:14, 36-41; 1 Pet 2:20-25; Jn 10:1-10)

1.0.                     The Options

We make choices based on available options. There is practically no product we purchase today that has no alternative. Thus, alternative options compete and appeal to our freedom of choice. These competing alternatives have to re-brand and upgrade in order to become our option of choice! To win this battle, companies and marketers attract us with lofty promises. Each alternative claims to be for our advantage, reduce cost or ease suffering. This competing appeal to our freedom of choice is in religion, politics and social life. These days we see some self-acclaimed men of God in completion of prophecies and easy solutions to life problems. Every politician climbs to power by promising to bring solution to economic and social problems of the society. Betting and gambling have become huge business today because they promise so much gain with very little commitment. Defrauders succeed by selling greed; promising easy wealth. Often times, the alternative that survives is the one that most promises to take away the cross; the one that most cancels suffering!

Our human will and freedom of choice are hungry for life. Thus we are easily attracted to the gateway that promises to open the door to life.

2.0.                    The Gateway

In the Gospel of today Jesus talks about the gateway to life. And there is no alternative to it. This gateway through which we enter to find pasture and life does not admit of competition. “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.” We pass through the door, the gatekeeper lets us in, and we become members of the sheepfold, where we find pasture and life. There is only one doorway.

Further Jesus said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep...I am the door; if anyone enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture...I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” He assures us to ask anything in His name and it will be granted (Jn 14:14). Now we have to pass our life through Jesus as through a door. Our freedom of choice cannot unlock the life it yearns for unless we choose in the name of Jesus. So the choices we make for relationship, marriage, wealth, social life, career, etc must pass through Jesus. His promises of life in the resurrection must guide us. He is the way, the truth and the life (Jn 14:6).

3.0.The Gatekeeper

“Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?” The Body of Christ, the Church acts as the gatekeeper. Through the teaching and sanctifying authority of the Church, we are welcomed into the sheepfold of Jesus Christ. “And Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ...”’ The Gatekeeper helps us to enter through Jesus the Door by granting us Baptism and forgiveness of sins.

4.0. The Door to Abundant life

“Beloved: if when you do right and suffer for it you take it patiently, you have God’s approval.” St Peter explains in the second reading that the steps with which we pass through the door of blessedness is patient-endurance. Narrow is the way that leads to life (Mt 7:13-14). “...Because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in His steps.” Jesus has declared Himself as the Door; the Gatekeeper has opened the Door. We must take some responsibility by stepping forward. And the steps we take are the crosses we bear each day and our true repentance from our sins. “By His wounds you have been healed. For you were straying life sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.”

No more shall we fall in the hands of thieves; they promise us love without sacrifice, friendship without commitment, wealth without investment, pleasure without labour, education without discipline, miracles without holiness, life without dying, etc. The crowd on the broad road to death compete among themselves. Though we may face diverse options and alternatives in our choices in life, there is only one door through which we must step in to unlock the blessings we really need. Jesus is the Door; if we pass through Him we shall escape the destroyers, receive pastures and earn eternal life. As we celebrate Jesus the Good Shepherd today, we must also follow the directives of the Gatekeeper, the Church, as she opens the way for us.

Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R

Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Church,

Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.

Sunday May 3^rd, 2020.

Good Shepherd Sunday.