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Master·evangeli.net

Today's Gospel + short theological explanation

Monday 4th (A) of Easter
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Gospel text (Jn 10:11-18): “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep... No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again..."

Christ "crucified freedom"

Fr. Antoni CAROL i Hostench (Sant Cugat del Vallès, Barcelona, Spain)

Today, we fall down on our knees before the magnificence of the "Infinite Freedom" crucified. Jesus comes as the "good shepherd". But these are not just nice words: it is the reality! He gives His life literally for us. And He does it with total liberty of love.

Jesus Christ predicted His own passion and the sovereignty —freedom— with which He was going to give Himself up: He gave His life and He retrieved it (resurrected) when He wanted. This can only be done by Somebody who is God. His death in the Cross is an act of love: He is there because He wants to sacrifice Himself for His brothers. It is neither an accident nor an execution. He is God and He behaves with absolute freedom. But with a freedom He has lived according to His authentic destiny: not to divert Himself, but to deliver Himself.

—Jesus: facing the Calvary, You gave us Your suffering, now hidden in the Eucharist. In Gethsemane You could defeat Your detractors who collapsed when they heard You saying "it is me"... But You let them seize You. Take me with You!