There is One Path

As human beings we are determined to make our own way in life. We leave our home as young adults to forge a path free from the expectations and limits of our parents. We attach ourselves to others along the way but only if they share our goals. Our path is our path. Theirs is theirs.

The Lord said to the Jews who had come to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.   The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.  I am the good shepherd.  The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.  He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.  He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep.  I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.  And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd.”

John 10.1-16

Today’s reading from the Gospel of John (half used in Orthros and half in Liturgy) is chosen for the commemoration of hierarchs of the Church. Today is the Feast of Saint John Chrysostom, likely THE best preacher of Christian history. He was a dedicated shepherd emulating Christ.

Christ is the ONLY true shepherd we have. Every bishop and priest is His representative but we all fall short. Today’s blog isn’t about priests and bishops. Today’s blog is about YOU. Most of us like to think we are our own bishop, our own shepherd, making our own way in life.

A shepherd leads his flock of sheep through the pasture to safety. The sheep, as it says in today’s reading, follow their shepherd. They do not follow the stranger who is trying to snatch them away. You know who refuses to follow the shepherd? Goats refuse to follow.

Goats make their own way, going where they want, doing what they want. A shepherd leads His sheep. Goats must be chased after and rounded up by force. Which would you rather be? You must make a choice. You cannot go your own way and think you are a sheep. You can’t be both.

There in only one path to heaven, through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He established His Church and ordained Bishops as shepherds to lead the Church to Christ. The voice of the bishops is the voice of the Church, and the voice of Christ. You can hear His voice.

The Church is calling us, searching for the lost sheep. I invite you today to sit quietly for a few minutes and ask yourself. Am I a sheep trying to follow Christ, or am I a goat making my own way? Listen for the voice of the Church and follow the Church back to the safety of Christ.

Yes, the Church isn’t perfect. Sure, the Church has had its bad moments in history. Even the bad moments do not take away the grace that Christ gives the Church. In fact, throughout history it wasn’t the Church that strayed, it was us the people.

Let’s make our way back to the Church and the True Shepherd Who is Christ. Christ is the way, and He established the Church to lead us. We can only enter heaven through Christ and the Church. If you want to make your own way, make your way back to the Church.