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Sometimes we reach an impasse in life and in some of our relationships. During
these times we might doubt that emotional healing is possible. We might presume
that we are flawed or unable to grow spiritually because of past sins and
failures. When we
give our thoughts and actions over to these feelings we become
trapped behind a wall or enclosed behind a barrier that distorts
our fears and keeps us from experiencing peace and joy,
satisfaction and true healing.
The Gospel reading
for the 4th Sunday of Easter assures us that Jesus is the
doorway to the walls and he is gateway to all the barriers and
fences in the human condition. Jesus, the bread of life, can
help each of us to reach the other side of our troubles and
pain, sins and failures, outside of earthly restrictions and
limitations, so we can experience here and now true peace and
joy. He opens the heavenly gate so that we might always have
life and have it more abundantly.
When our path
seems blocked, we can only make progress by receiving
forgiveness and healing from Jesus who will shepherd us over,
through and around the obstacles of life and relationship.
Those doors painfully shut by someone that we counted on can be
opened by Jesus. Those barriers erected because of confusion
and condemnation that confine us because of fear can be released
by Jesus. Jesus is our open gate, with him there are not walls,
and no one can close him out of our lives. He will lead us into
a new opportunity for accomplishing the plan of God.
Jesus has given us a holy desire, a passion for life and relationship in
communion with God. When in the human condition there seems to be no outlet or
obvious path to take, instead of complaining or quitting, or hiding behind
a wall or fence, we must look at Jesus and see him as a gate that opens the door
that will lead us in the right direction to the right location. Jesus the Good
Shepherd leads his flock to victory and triumph on the other side of all the
walls and barriers of the human condition.
No amount of despair and worry can accomplish what Jesus can
when we trust in him and in his mercy. Despair and worry robs
us of peace, joy, satisfaction, and healing. We are not as
powerful as we think or pretend to be. We cannot
accomplish this on
our own or through others.
To find peace
and joy, to experience fulfillment and satisfaction, to be made
ready to receive healing, we need to let Jesus lead us on our
journey. We need the Good Shepherd to safely guide us into a
life of abundant victory. We need Jesus.
With faith, hope and love,
Father Steven C. Rogers
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