Our Holy Father Gregory the Theologian, Archbishop of Constantinople (390)
1 Corinthians 12:7-11; John 10:9-16
Polyeleos Feast
Read John 10:9-16
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
People are often familiar with the image of Christ the Good Shepherd which we read in today’s gospel passage. However, the reading begins with a less popular image. Jesus says, “I am the gate” (John 10:9). A sheepgate not only permits sheep to enter their sheepfold but also to exit it. Christ both gives us a place of refuge from danger as well as offers us nourishment so that we might go out to pasture. He nourishes us with the Bread of Life and Rivers of Living Water.
Although there are no direct citations from the Old Testament in the Good Shepherd discourse, there are clear connections between the Good Shepherd and the pastoral imagery one can find in the Old Testament. In the Old Testament, unfaithful leaders of Israel were described as bad shepherds in multiple places such as Jeremiah 23 and Ezekiel 34. In Ezekiel 34, one can draw clear connections to Jesus. Since the shepherds of Israel were wicked, God Himself will shepherd Israel. He will establish His servant David to be the one shepherd over the whole flock to gather everyone together. Jesus, of the Davidic line, is the ultimate fulfillment of this prophecy.
Sheep recognize their shepherd by his voice. Christ, the Good Shepherd, was recognized after His resurrection only after He had spoken. Do we recognize Jesus’ voice when He speaks, or do we get lost and allow other things to be our “shepherds?”