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In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
In 2014, I am facilitating a 12-week interactive online course in contemplative prayer and action for priests with Saint Luke Institute. Please visit SLIconnect.org to learn more: https://www.sliconnect.org/product/living-god-program-contemplative-life-2/
SHEEP PENS as a way to know
Jesus +++++++++++
Ø
In Jesus’ day shepherds used 2 different kinds
of pens for their sheep at nighttime
Ø
Jesus alludes to both types to reveal something
different about how he wants to relate to us
COMMON VILLAGE PEN ++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
1st common village pen where sheep, belonging
to 5 or 6 different shepherds, spent the night in 1 pen
Ø
In early morning, shepherds come 2 get their
flock & lead them out 2 pasture
Ø
Sheep know own shepherd so well that respond
only 2 his voice, ~ like your dog
wagging tail when hears your voice
Ø
Re this common village pen, Jesus says, “The gatekeeper opens gate 4 the shepherd, &
sheep follow him becz they recognize his voice.”
THE FIELD PEN
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
2nd The other type of pen was the
field pen
Ø
These were outside the village & consisted
of a circular stone wall with a narrow opening for the sheep to enter and exit
Ø
A shepherd herds his sheep into the enclosure
and then he himself lies down across the opening
Ø
In this way the shepherd serves as the gate
Ø
No sheep can stray and no wild animal can enter
without touching his body and waking him
Ø
Re field pen J words, “I am sheep gate” come alive
“I AM THE”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
J = voice among many / our safety among terrors
Ø
Imp 2 note J says “I am THE good shepherd” or “I
am THE sheep gate,” he’s saying those words in an absolute sense
Ø
There no restriction, no limitation to his being
a good shepherd or the sheep gate
Ø
This self-proclamation = absolute & we’re
invited 2 place our total faith & trust in him as those realities
APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
When following wrong voice / unable to hear HIS
voice amidst the many voices…
Ø
When I’m object of violence, gossip, misunderstanding
or ridicule of others
Ø
It’s not A shepherd I can listen for / not A
sheep gate that protects me
Ø
It is THE absolute, like no other / THE one w/o
restriction or limitation
CONCLUSION
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø
No
matter what sheep pen I find myself in, I can say w/o equivocation: “The Lord is my shepherd I shall not
want!”
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
