Amen, Amen! Twice

Lectio:

JN 10:1-10

Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.”
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Studium:

This is a pastoral picture of Palestine. A sheepfold is an enclosure to protect the sheep at night. Only the shepherd would be let in by the gatekeeper. And he would walk through the gate.  Who would sneak over the wall?  Only a thief.  Pay attention because Jesus uses "Amen, Amen" to punctuate this teaching.  He is the way; He is the gatekeeper.  Only the Pharisees and their ilk don't understand.  But you do.

Meditatio:

Jesus, You are the One and Only.  Only through You may we attain divine life.  After all, You said You came so that we may have abundant eternal life.

Oratio:

Lord, lead me safely home.  Don't let the evil ones steal me away from Your sheepfold.  Help me to hear and listen to Your voice, alone.

Contemplatio:

Jesus is the good Shepherd.

Resolutio:

I must remember that I am only a poor sheep and my hope of salvation is by following Jesus.