We have all been called to become “resurrection people.” The Crucified Christ teaches us that we carry within us - individually and as a community - the wounds of our world and of our Church. But the Risen Christ teaches us that these are also the wounds of Christ which have the potential to heal from the hurt that we have endured. The Cross conditions us to self-denial, to contradiction, and to the possibility of total failure. But The Empty Tomb assures us that the victory and the power of the Risen Lord are ours. It is through that power that we defy the world and its standards. Each day we are called to give our response to the world - a communal response based on a common faith expressed within our common community.
The Gospel today presents a powerful image. It reminds us that Jesus is the gate for the sheep and that we can only be the people He calls us to be by living our lives as He lived HIs. The text says that he calls each one of us by name and then walks ahead of us expecting us to follow. The shepherd leads the sheep through the gate and into the world to do his work.
His was a new way of looking at things. Jesus modeled a life-style which He invited all of his followers to share - one of concern and compassion, one of service and dedication, one of relentless and abounding love and one that brings all people together in His own healing power.
This new way of life requires courage and strength. The Gospel is blunt and absolutely clear in reminding us that our lives should be marked not only by gentleness and reconciliation but by our own willingness to lay down our lives for the sake of others. Maybe it is time for all of us to re-examine just how willing we are to do just that.
We are not bringing people together when we avoid taking a stand against evil and injustice. We are not being faithful disciples when we accept the manipulations of our world, the imperfections of governments, the flaws of our culture. We are not following the gospel when we accept abuse in our workplace, in our churches or in our home. Our mandate from Jesus is to oppose evil and to assert ourselves against those forces which can harm us and the people we love.
Every time we as a nation use our military might to bend another nation to our will instead of using dialogue and negotiation, we choose an option contrary to the kingdom of God. Every time we support a social solution based on violence, whether that be the violence of forced deportation or the violence of unjust incarceration, we take a step contrary to what God intends. Every time we act personally out of anger or vengeance, every time we use our position or authority to coerce someone to do what we want them to do, we show how far we are from truly being the resurrection people Jesus calls us to be.
We should be encouraged by Jesus' words today. He proclaims God's reign in order to awaken hope and call all people to change their way of thinking and acting. We are called to enter the gate and follow. But we are called to be shepherds of the flock as well. As both sheep and shepherds, we need to rediscover and reinterpret the Jesus message in a clear and decisive language that will speak to the world about how we see ourselves as His followers.
"I am the gate for the sheep."
Others will know Him by the way they come to know us. And we will all have life and have it more abundantly,
