Breaking the Word

GOSPEL READING: JOHN 10: 11-18

Jesus gives the characteristic marks of the hired man and the good shepherd. They are the identity marks in fact they are the differentiating marks of these two. Hired man works for money and has no concern for the sheep. Hired man runs away when he sees problem for the sheep. In short, hired man is selfish and self centred.

Jesus affirms himself to be the good shepherd. The adjective good brings with it all the qualities that one should want to find in a shepherd. He is totally concerned about the sheep. This is not mere external concern but this concern extends to the knowledge of the sheep and its name (Jn 10:3 – knowing the name is making the sheep a person with due respect and reverence). His concern is visible in his readiness to lay down his life for the sheep. All this concern and knowledge is similar to that of the father.

நல்ல ஆயன் நானே என்று இயேசு தன்னையே வெளிப்படுத்தும் போது ஆயனின் மிக சிறந்த குணங்களை வெளிப்படுத்துகிறார். ஆடுகளைப்பற்றிய கருத்து> கவனிப்பு> கவலை நல்ல ஆயனுக்கு உண்டு. பெயரிட்டு அழைக்கக்கூடிய அளவுக்கு ஆடுகளை அறிந்திருக்கிறார். ஆடுகளுக்காக தன்னையே பலியிடவும் துணிபவர் ஆயர். தந்தை எவ்வாறு மகன் மீது அக்கறை> அறிவு> அன்பு கொண்டிருக்கிறாரோ அதேபோல் மகனும் ஆடுகள் மீது அன்பும் அக்கறையும் கொண்டிருக்கிறார்.

GOSPEL READING (Jn 10:1-10 )

A thief and a robber is the one who does not enter through the gate. The thief tries to avoid meeting the gatekeeper and the shepherd. The gatekeeper is the one who guards the sheep and protects the sheep from being stolen. The shepherd is familiar with the sheep. The thief avoids the gatekeeper because he does not want to guard the sheep and protect them rather he wants to steal the sheep. For the thief, the sheep do not have any other value but their usefulness (material).

Shepherd enters through the gate and the gatekeeper is familiar with him and also the sheep. Sheep recognize his voice; they follow him; he walks ahead of them. The familiarity between the sheep and the shepherd and the close relationship between them are important. Sheep are not things to be used in fact they are persons (he calls them by name). There is personal and familiar and close relationship.

Jesus is the shepherd and that gate. In him and through him there is life, salvation and protection. The sheep that enter through him and follow him and listen to his voice are they that have protection, salvation and life. Jesus is the only shepherd: there has never been one before (because all those who came before him were thieves and robbers); and there will not be another after him.

நல்ல ஆயன் ஆடுகளோடு உறவு கொண்டுள்ளான். ஆடுகள் பொருள்கள் அல்ல மாறாக உறவுகள். ஆகவேதான் ஆடுகள் செவிமடுக்கின்றன. பின்பற்றுகின்றன. ஆடுகளுக்கு பெயர்களும் உண்டு. இயேசுவே நல்ல ஆயன்.