Monday 4th Week of Easter

Gospel –John 10:1-10

Patience, My Child

Shepherd’s Field, Bethlehem

As a high school teacher, I have put in more than my share of chaperoning school field trips otherwise known as ‘combat pay’.  Some of my friends have described the experience as being similar to herding cats.  I beg to differ; it’s much worse than that.  Now don’t get me wrong; I do love going to the zoo or Art Institute, Field Museum or Shedd Aquarium.  But, as a teacher/chaperone, you don’t really get the chance to appreciate the experience.  Your focus is completely on the kids, and rightly so. 

And if it’s an overnight retreat, you can just triple the attention necessary to keep the students in line.  That also means staying up into the wee hours of the night on guard duty in order to monitor the halls.  It is exhausting and mentally demanding!  It takes time and a lot of patience!

Today’s Gospel continues Jesus’ discourse on the Good Shepherd, particularly the shepherd’s role as a gate-keeper and protector of the flock.  We know that Jesus takes on the role of Good Shepherd out of His love for us.  All He does is for love!  But I think that love must also come with a very healthy dose of patience. The sheep are going to try and run off; they will try to eat something they shouldn’t.  They will want to stop when you want them to move.  Imagine the patience involved!  You love them; you will do anything for them especially when they stray. And yet you also have to practice a great deal of patience, with them and with yourself!  Consider Jesus’ patience with the Apostles.  One minute He is sharing one of His parables; the next minute the Apostles are pulling Him aside, asking Him to please explain the meaning of that parable.

While we reflect on Jesus as the Good Shepherd and ourselves as His flock, we are also called to be shepherds ourselves, leading others along the right path by our words and actions.  We are all called to live a life of love for God and for each other.  We pray that the love we share is coupled with the constant virtue of patience!

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