With Opened Bible
Fourth Sunday of Easter
“I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.”(John 10,9)
The fourth Sunday of Easter is dedicated to the Good Shepherd and vocations. In doing so, the Church, as Mother and Teacher, seeks to teach us that Jesus, the risen Christ, is the one who lovingly guides us to the Father through the constant call to listen to his voice, inspiring confidence and comfort in our hearts.
In the Gospel of John, the identity of Jesus is intertwined with that of the Father in a hidden way, yet proclaimed in the truth of the words. Saint John took the time to place on Jesus' lips the Name of God (YHWH), the one God
himself revealed to Moses on Mount Sinai: "Eyeh Asher Eyeh," which means "I am who I am." (Exodus 3:14) This name, which is above every name, was given to Jesusbecause He obeyed even unto death on the cross, inspiring awe and reverence for His divine identity. (Cf. Philippians 2:9)
On Good Shepherd Sunday, Jesus reveals himself in the image of his Father: "I am the Gate." Seven
times, Saint John presents Jesus with this name. For example: "I am the Way, the Truth, and the
Life" (John 14:6), "I am the resurrection and the life" (John 11:25), "I am the light of the world"
(John 8:12), to name just a few. This invites us to trust fully in His power to save and lead us to
eternal life.
Today, Jesus declares: 'I am the gate,' emphasizing that through Him, we find salvation and access
to eternal life, reaffirming His divine mediating role. “Whoever enters through me will be
saved,and will come in and go out and find pasture." (John 10:9) His Person becomes the place where
all can enter to access eternal life. "No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)
By using the word "gate," Saint John tells us again, in other words, that Jesus is the only
Mediator between God and humanity. (Cf. 1 Timothy 2:5) He alone can lead us to God; He alone can
introduce us to the light that never fades. To Him the Risen One, be glory, honor, and power for
eternity. (Ephesians 3:21;
Revelation 7:12)
