Well,
Hello friends.
This is Mark Gladman,
Also known as Brother Frederick James,
Your friendly neighbourhood monk in-docs.
Welcome to this reflection as we continue to meditate on the I Am statements of Jesus as found in John's Gospel.
Today we move into our third week.
We will begin to reflect on Jesus' statement,
I am the door.
So let's begin by breathing in.
Exhale slowly.
Let yourself become still.
Let your heart settle peacefully into this moment.
And as you get comfortable,
Take a moment to picture a quiet hillside.
The golden glow of morning just beginning to spread across the land.
Just close by you see a stone enclosure,
A sheepfold,
A place of safety and rest.
But this is not just any pen for sheep.
This pen is connected to the shepherd's home.
It's not only a place of protection,
It's a place of belonging.
So hear then these words from Jesus,
I am the gate for the sheep.
It's a simple image,
And yet it's filled with so much meaning.
The gate is the way in.
It is the entrance to safety,
To provision,
And to belonging.
It is the doorway to home.
Now just for a moment with your eyes closed,
Imagine that you are standing before a doorway.
Beyond the doorway,
You sense warmth,
Love,
And peace.
This is a place where you don't just reside,
You are known.
It's a place where you are safe,
A place where you belong.
Jesus stands at that doorway,
And he invites you in.
His eyes are filled with kindness,
And his presence radiates welcome.
What do you feel as you stand before this doorway?
I wonder,
Do you hesitate?
Do you long to step inside?
What does home mean to you,
Deep in your heart?
Now in your mind's eye,
Take a step forward,
Cross the threshold into this space of belonging.
Feel the security,
The rest,
The love that fills this place.
This is the home your soul longs for.
The home that is found in God's presence.
So often,
We search for home in many places.
We look for belonging in our achievements,
Our relationships,
Our status.
We chase security in the things we build,
Or the things that we own.
But Jesus reminds us,
True belonging is not found in a place,
But in a person.
He,
Jesus,
Is the gate,
The way into the heart of God,
And the invitation is always open.
So how might Jesus be inviting you to come home today?
What would it look like to step more fully into God's love,
And to trust in God's presence as your shelter?
In the silence,
Just let those questions rest in your heart for a moment.
Let us pray.
Jesus,
You are the gate,
The doorway to home.
In you,
We find belonging,
Safety,
And peace.
Help us to step through the door,
To trust in your love,
To rest in the security of your presence.
When we feel lost,
Remind us that home is always open,
And always with us.
When we feel unworthy,
Remind us that you welcome us with joy.
When we search for fulfillment in the world,
Call us back to the only home that truly satisfies,
That is life with you.
May we walk forward today knowing that we are never alone.
You are our shepherd,
Our shelter,
And our home.
We trust you,
We follow you,
We rest in you.
As you go forward from this space,
May you walk in the assurance that you belong to God.
So as we prepare to go,
I invite you to breathe in,
And out.
And as you rise,
May you trust Jesus as the gateway to life,
And may you always know,
Deep in your soul,
That you have a home in his love.
And may grace,
And peace,
And love go with you,
Each and every step of the way.
Peace be with you,
My friends.
Until tomorrow.
Bye for now.
