Message from Fr. Luis R. Largaespada V.F.

St. Hugh Catholic Parish

I Am the Gate (Jn 10:9).

Gates and doors are essential elements of construction; they let us in and out. And more to the point, they help keep out the ones who shouldn’t be in. And so the question arises: why and how is Jesus the gate.

In today’s Gospel passage He proclaims Himself “the gate;” but He also portrays Himself as the shepherd that comes to the gate and “calls the sheep by name and leads them out” (Jn 10:3).

The sheep, He says, “recognize his voice” (10:4).

Sheep are dumb and fickle animals, and we don’t like to be compared to them. Yet, sometimes we listen to other voices that are not the Shepherd’s. As Saint Peter puts it, “we had gone astray like sheep” (1 P 2:25).

But our Good Shepherd does not let us be lost. Instead, He calls us by name so that we may return to “the shepherd and guardian of [our] souls” (ibid). And He promises that “whoever enters through me will be saved” (Jn 10:9).

The Good Shepherd comes that we “might have life and have it more abundantly” (10:10)).

On this Good Shepherd Sunday let us listen to His voice. Let us also pray for all priests and for those who will be ordained to the priesthood soon, as well as for all seminarians.

We pray especially for Cristhian Mendieta, Adam Cahill and their seven companions nine in total who will be ordained at St. Mary’s Cathedral on May 9.

May the Lord send us shepherds that will help us to hear His voice. God bless you.

Fr. Luis R. Largaespada V.F.