April 26, 2026
I Am The Gate
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 | 1
Peter 2:20b-25
John 10:1-10
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Today's
Readings
Acts
2:14a, 36-41 Peter
proclaimed: God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ. The crowd asked what they
must do. Peter said: Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the Holy Spirit. That day, three
thousand were added.
1 Peter
2:20b-25 Christ
suffered for you and left you an example. He committed no sin. He bore our sins
in His body. By His wounds you have been healed. You had gone astray like
sheep; you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
John
10:1-10 Jesus
said: I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters through me will be saved. The
thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy. I came so that they might
have life and have it more abundantly.
Today's
Thread: Life in abundance, not in moderation.
Good Shepherd
Sunday. The image is tender and specific: the shepherd knows his sheep by name,
goes ahead of them, and lays down his life for them. But today's Gospel adds
something striking: Jesus says I am the gate. Enter through me, and you will
have life, abundantly.
Three thousand people entered through that gate in
one day after Peter preached. They heard, were cut to the heart, repented, and
were baptized. The shepherd was gathering His flock, one soul at a time, three
thousand at once.
Living
It Today:
The abundant life
Jesus promises is not a comfortable life. It is a full life, rich with meaning,
purpose, love, suffering, and resurrection. Peter describes it: by His wounds you
have been healed. The wound and the healing are inseparable.
You are not a stray sheep anymore. You have returned
to the shepherd and guardian of your soul. Walk closely today. Stay near enough
to hear His voice. The thief is looking for sheep that wander from the flock.
Something
to sit with today:
My friend, can I ask you something, and I
mean it gently, from the heart?
When Jesus said He came so you could have
life abundantly, did that fill your heart with joy? Does that sound
like your faith right now? Because if it doesn't, you are not alone, and there
is no shame in that. That word abundant, He meant it for you,
yes, you specifically. Not for saints on stained glass, but for you, in your
actual everyday life.
Think back for a moment, maybe it was quiet,
maybe it shook you, when something shifted, and you turned toward Jesus. Maybe
it was a prayer whispered in a dark, quiet place. Maybe it was during Mass that your
heart opened up. Whatever it was, go back to that place today. Let it breathe
again. Let it remind you that this faith was never meant to grow cold.
And think about those three thousand people
on Pentecost. They weren't theologians, and they weren't perfect. They just
heard the truth, felt it reach inside them, and said yes. Three
thousand of them, in a single day. That is what one honest, open heart can look
like when it stops holding back.
Maybe that's where you are today. Maybe
you've been standing just outside, not quite in, not quite out, and something
keeps you at the threshold. Can I tell you something? He already sees you
there. He's not frustrated with you. He's not keeping score. He is simply,
patiently, lovingly calling your name.
So, whatever is in the way, fear, doubt, old
wounds, the feeling that you're not ready, bring it with you. You don't have to
leave it at the door. Just come.
What would it mean for you to say yes
today, really yes, maybe for the very first time?
Rosary Man Jim 🌹
