Jesus Is My Shepherd

May 12, 2025 - Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

John 10:1–10

Life today can feel like a noisy crowd—so many voices telling us who to be, what to do, how to live. Some promise happiness if we just follow them. Others try to control or scare us. It’s hard to know who to trust. But in the Gospel, Jesus reminds us: Not every voice leads to life. Only the Shepherd enters by the gate.

Jesus tells us that some people are like thieves who sneak in the back door. They don’t care about the sheep—they care about power, control, or their own image. That’s what happened to the blind man Jesus healed. Instead of celebrating his healing, the Pharisees kicked him out because he believed in Jesus. But Jesus found him again. He didn’t just give him sight—He gave him belonging. He brought him into the fold.

That’s what Jesus does. When the world pushes us away, when people make us feel like we don’t fit, He steps in. He calls us by name. And He leads us—not just anywhere, but to a place of safety, peace, and purpose.

Psalm 23 paints this picture beautifully: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” He gives us green pastures and still waters—images of rest and refreshment. For the early Christians, this wasn’t just poetry. It meant the Scriptures that nourish our minds, baptism that gives us a fresh start, and the Holy Spirit that strengthens our hearts. And there’s more: the Shepherd sets a table for us. That’s the Eucharist—Jesus giving us His very life, so we never walk alone.

Jesus says, “I came so that they may have life and have it abundantly.” That’s not just about heaven someday. It’s about living fully now—with joy, with courage, with hope. Even when we go through hard times—loneliness, fear, stress—He walks with us. His voice cuts through the noise. It’s the voice that says, You matter. You’re not alone. I’m here.

And the journey leads somewhere amazing: the house of the Lord. A place with no more hunger, no more tears, no more pain. Just love. Just life. Forever.

So when you're not sure who to follow, listen for the Shepherd's voice. The one that brings peace. The one that brings life. The one that knows your name.

Jesus is your Shepherd. And in Him, you’ll always have enough.