Christ the Good Shepherd

A sermon written for the celebration of the Translation of the Relics of Saint John Chrysostom

January 27th/ February 9th

Today's Gospel Reading: John 10:9-16

Glory to Jesus Christ!

In today’s Gospel Christ calls himself the door, and then proceeds to talk about sheep and their shepherd. In ancient Palestine, a sheepfold would not have a gate or a door as we would expect it would be a stone pen with a narrow opening. At night the shepherd would lay in the opening keeping the sheep in and the wolves out, positioned between his flock and danger

When we enter the fold by Christ, the door, when we enter into the life of the Church, we become the flock of the Lord. He becomes our shepherd, the only one who truly cares for us, because we are His.

As the shepherd lays in the door-way, between the sheep and the wolves, guarding them with his life, Christ laid down His life for us. He died for us, removing the sting of death and rendering the devil and his minions powerless.

What then is there for us to truly fear?

The love of God protects Christ’s flock and nothing can separate us from the Love of God. Not even death. We may come into the fold into the internal life of spirit and prayer, and we may leave the fold, into our daily lives where we put our belief to action. But since we are always under the protection of the Good Shepherd, we can find green pastures everywhere,

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,”                                    

Everything we need to grow into His Likeness is available to each of us in Christ.

            “He makes me lie down in green pastures,”              

With Christ as our shepherd we will receive our spiritual food. We are nourished by Christ Himself during communion. As he is in us, we can rest in Him

            “He leads me beside still waters,”

Through the waters of Baptism we are made Christ’s own flock.

“He restores my soul”

                        Healing of soul, mind, and body are effects of these Holy Mysteries.

Come then, come into this fold. There is rest from your trouble. There is food for your soul. There is meaning for your life. There is one here who truly loves you. Amen.