The Modern Wolf in Christian Life

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season: Fourth Week : Sunday*

*Gospel : Jn 10:11-18*

*First Reading : Acts 4:8-12*

*SECOND READING - 1 Jn 3:1-2*

*The Modern Wolf in Christian Life*

*1) The Caution about Wolf*

In today's Gospel Jesus, warns about the wolf which attacks His sheep 

The wolf comes and catches them, scatters them and finally kills some of them 

This was what, happened during the time of Jesus 

*2) Jesus' application to Christian Life*

Jesus takes a common example from the daily life of the people and applies it to our Christian life 

Jesus says there are persons or things which are equal to the wolf, and they attack the followers of Jesus

This particular example is applicable not only to the time of Jesus, but more to our present time 

*3) Modernised Wolf in our Christian life*

*Persecution* The persecutors are the modern dangerous wolf in our context 

They try to catch, scatter and kill the followers of Jesus 

*Media* Another powerful wolf which destroys the life of the followers of Jesus with wrong information. We need to be very careful about this wolf 

*Internet and Modern Technology* At times this also becomes a powerful wolf, which scatters the followers of Jesus from faith and right teaching. Need to be very careful about this wolf 

*Worldly Things* This includes the greed for material things, greed for power, wealth, position, authority, bodily pleasure etc. These are also powerful wolves attack and scatter the sheep of Jesus 

Apart from this *consumerism, individualism, secularism, atheism pluralism* are other forms of wolves, dangerous to the followers of Jesus 

  

*4) Shepherds Responsibility amisdt the Wolf*

Two types reactions are reported in the Gospel

*A Good Shepherd* Who safeguards the sheep from the attack of the wolf 

A shepherd, who is ready to lay down his life for the safety of the sheep

A shepherd who know the strength of the sheep and guards them accordingly

*A hired shepherd*  A shepherd who thinks of the money and hours of paid work 

A shepherd, who runs away first when he sees the wolf 

A shepherd who does not have the care and concern of the sheep 

A shepherd who do not know the sheep 

*5) How do I safeguard?*

All of us are the shepherds of our life 

There are dangerous wolves around our lives, ready to attack, scatter and to kill our Christian life 

In this context how do I respond? 

Do I respond to the situation as a good Shepherd or a hired shepherd??

*Think about it*

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

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*