gater-aid
"My solemn word is this: I am the Sheepgate." —John 10:7
Jesus is the Founder, Head, and Gate of the Church. If a person does not enter the Church through Jesus but climbs in some other way, that person will tend to be "a thief and a marauder" (Jn 10:1). For example, if a person entered into leadership of the Church primarily through the gates of education, giftedness, or popularity, that person's leadership will probably hurt the Church. Leaders need to be chosen by Jesus, the Good Shepherd and the Gate. How many organists, liturgists, DREs, youth directors, pastoral associates, members of parish councils, committee heads, etc., have entered into their positions in the Church through gates other than Jesus?
We can apply this more personally by recognizing our families as "domestic Churches." Has every family activity, decision, TV program, and purchase entered your life through Jesus, the Gate? Does this explain how Dad's joy, Mom's peace, and the children's faith have been stolen?
Jesus will only be the Way, the Truth, and the Life (Jn 14:6) for us if He is the Gateway. When Jesus is the Gateway, He is the Truth Who sets us free from lying thieves (see Jn 8:32) and Who gives us life to the full (Jn 10:10).
Prayer: Father, I accept Your grace to make Jesus the only Gate into my life.
Promise: "God has granted life-giving repentance even to the Gentiles." —Acts 11:18
Praise: Teenage Juan persuaded his family to pray a daily rosary.
Reference: (Read the Bible daily. For encouragement, order any or all of these audio or video tapes: Ignorance of Scriptures is Ignorance of Christ, AV 82-1, V-82, How to Pray the Bible on audio AV 82-3 or on video V-82, How to Read the Bible on audio AV 46-3 or on video V-46, Principles of Bible Interpretation, audio AV 79-1, video V-79, Biblical Counseling, audio AV 13A-1, AV 13A-3, AV 13B-3 or on video starting with V-13A.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, November 2, 2012
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