Sermon III Easter Father Darius Gasatura April 21, 2024

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep gospel John 10:11 Synod votive mass for the priesthood Verily verily I say unto you He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold but climbeth up some other way the same is a thief and a robber But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep To him the porter openeth and the sheep hear his voice and he calleth his own sheep by name and leadeth them out And when he putteth forth his own sheep he goeth before them and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice And a stranger will they not follow but will flee from him for they know not the voice of strangers This parable spake Jesus unto them but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them Then said Jesus unto them again Verily verily I say unto you I am the door of the sheep All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers but the sheep did not hear them I am the door by me if any man enter in he shall be saved and shall go in and out and find pasture The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill and to destroy I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly I am the good shepherd the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep But he that is an hireling and not the shepherd whose own the sheep are not seeth the wolf coming and leaveth the sheep and fleeth and the wolf catcheth them and scattereth the sheep great love comfort reassurance heightened imagery sacrifice his own life motif dependant upon him for their survival enclosure sticks stones sheepfold through tiny opening lie across the opening 

¹⁴ I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

¹⁵ As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

¹⁶ And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

¹⁷ Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.

¹⁸ No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.