Fourth Sunday of Easter April; 17, 2005
Acts of the Apostles 2: 14a, 36-41 1Peter 2: 20b-25 John 10: 1-10
Perhaps one of the greatest misconceptions about us, those who profess a faith in God and practice that faith, those who believe in God’s love for us and God’s presence with us in the person of Jesus Christ who promised to remain with us, is that we somehow lack freedom. We are looked upon as being bound by commandments, laws, rules and regulations. These are restrictions and limitations to our freedom, to the choices which we can make. Perhaps this misconception is the result of our own words or actions. Perhaps, too, it arises from our own lack of understanding or appreciation of what we truly have, what we truly believe.
We would do well, I believe, to think through what we have heard today, how God speaks to us in the Word of God. At the end of the passage from the Gospel of St. John we hear the declaration made by Jesus that the intent of his mission among us is that we might have life, and have life abundantly. This is not a limiting or restrictive way of speaking. Rather, he tells us that belief in him will permit us to possess life abundantly, fully, as completely as possible. This suggests that we will have an even greater appreciation of what is ours. We will not only understand but also live more fully the gift of life we have received. Another way of expressing this is to say that the better we understand life, the better we appreciate life, the less restricted we will be and a greater benefit will be derives.
I would like to suggest an example. We live in an era of great technology. Almost daily there are more devices which make life simpler. I was thinking of days gone by when, reading a Dick Tracy cartoon in the Sunday paper, we would marvel at his wrist radio. That has become a reality in the cell phone far beyond the concept that was portrayed. We now have home computers, appliances, even something as simple as a thermostat which are portrayed for us in advertisements as being able to do so many things for us, as being able to provide so much convenience for us. In a way, they suggest an abundant life for us. Yet when we purchase one of these items and open the box in which it is contained, we can be easily overwhelmed. In order to achieve what this marvelous device can accomplish for us, we need to go through a maze of often confusing and frustrating steps. With effort, with patience, with some experimentation, and most often by enlisting some help, we begin to gain some insight and realize what a wonderful product it truly is. New possibilities open up for us, new freedoms are gained when a greater knowledge and appreciation develops of what an instrument is available to us.
The gift of life which we have received is a mystery. To unravel all of its elements, to understand and appreciate life, is not always easy. But God, the creator of life, came among us in the person of Jesus Christ to reveal to us the depth and meaning of life so that we might fully appreciate it. What Christ seeks to tell us in the simple example of the shepherd and the gate of the sheepfold is that we gain freedom in life if he join with him, are united with him. If we hear his voice, listen to his words, we can rely on his presence and message in our lives. In a way, we are able to wander the pasture of life freely certain of his protection and presence. We can go through the gates, the barriers of life, freely, without obstruction or hindrance.
As a computer or an appliance or a thermostat offers us freedom in day to day activities, so following Christ and listening to his message gives us genuine insight into life and allows us to enjoy the true freedoms it gives. We are protected from the thieves and wolves which sick to harm or injure the real value and importance of life. These thieves and wolves can take the form of greed and envy, fear and hatred, abuses and addictions. They are various things in our lives which might offer temporary allurement.
Having faith in God, however, believing in the message of Jesus Christ, and being a part of the Body of Christ in the world, the Church, and living out our lives in accord with this message and belief, does not restrict us. It gives us freedom. It allows us to know what is really important in life, what is really valuable. We understand more fully that we are loved by God, God who is love. We appreciate more fully how valuable life itself truly is and thus recognize and value all life and the importance and dignity of every person.
Thus, the choices we make in life as believers are not a matter of obligation but of opportunity. They are opportunities to live life, to love God and all of God’s creation, not out of fear but freely and abundantly. We do this because we are increasingly aware and more fully grasp and enjoy the love of God that surrounds us.