7 So Jesus spoke again, “I assure you that I am the gate of the sheep. 8 All who came before me were thieves and outlaws, but the sheep didn’t listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 The thief enters only to steal, kill, and destroy. I came so that they could have life—indeed, so that they could live life to the fullest.
Reflection
Let’s be honest: there are days when our lives don’t feel full. There are probably more times than we care to admit when we look around and honestly don’t feel much of anything. We all experience seasons where we struggle to see the good: in ourselves, in others, in the world.
But the promise of Jesus is the promise of life. Not life in muted colors but in rich, vibrant hues. I often think of it like The Wizard of Oz. What Jesus is offering looks more like technicolor Oz than sepia-toned Kansas. When we see through eyes of faith and with hearts of gratitude, our lives grow. They expand in delightful ways to give us a joy we never thought possible.
Isn’t that the life we’re all searching for? Jesus says, “I came that you might have life, and have it to the full.” Do we believe him?
By Joe Monahan
For Pondering & Prayer
Have you ever experienced this kind of joy – a time when you felt more free, alive, and connected to people than ever before? When was it? What were you doing?
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