Jesus says 'I am the Gate'. Will u become one?

Gospel Thoughts*

*Easter Season : 4th Week - Monday*

*GOSPEL -  Jn 10:1-10*

*First Reading - Acts 11:1-18*

*Jesus says 'I am the Gate'. Will u become one?*

*1) Speciality of the Gate*

We find gates in all most in all the compounds, or in the entry to a building or to a important place 

First of all gate is the instrument, which gives us the safety from harm, danger and evil things 

Gate is the symbol of protection and safety 

Where ever there is a gate it gives us the safety and we are able to live in a peaceful atmosphere

Secondly Gate also a instrument which has the access to inside and also to outside 

So it is a instrument to pass from inside to out and out side to in

The nature of the gate is to allow what is good and to block what is bad, and evil 

*2) Jesus is the Gate*

In today's Gospel Jesus says that *I am the Gate*

He is the gate for the sheepfold. 

Since we are all the sheep, we can enter only through this door 

So there is a need and necessity for entering through this gate, if we want to get inside 

One can't get inside, without passing through this gate 

All the followers of Jesus are supposed to enter through this gate to save themselves for eternal life 

*3) The various aspects of this Gate*

The following are the various ways of Jesus' gate through which we need to enter everyday 

*Gate of Forgiveness* very necessary to enter into the mercy of God

*Gate of Humility* in order to become great in the sight of God, we need to enter through this gate 

*Gate of compassion* to see the face of Jesus in others 

*Gate of Love* to know and experience God himself in our life 

*Gate of Sacrifice* to enter into the kingdom of God need to enter through this gate 

*Gate of Generosity* entering through this gate will bring about many blessings of God

Gate of Sharing, service, concern, speaking well about others, helping hand will lead us into holy life and to eternal life 

*Gate of prayer* directly leads to heaven

So we need to enter through these gates in order to experience the real teachings of Christ and to become His genuine disciples 

*4) Am I a gate or barricade?*

Gate gives entry to a place 

Barricade blocks the entry and denies one to go to the other side 

If so, is my life a gate or a barricade? 

Does my life lead some one to practice forgiveness, love, care, concern, humility, sacrifice, happiness? 

Or is my life blocks all these above mentioned things and makes every ones life miserable, including mine? 

*Think about it*

*Christian spirituality consists in making ones life a gate like Jesus and not a barricade*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*