Jesus teaches us about His relationship with us through His seven " I AM " statements:

1. Food: I AM the bread of life (John 6:35)

2. Light: I AM the light of the world (John 8:12)

3. A path to follow: I AM the Way, the truth and the life (John 14:6)

4. A gate to get onto the path: I AM the Gate for the sheep (John 10:7)

5. Someone trustworthy to follow: I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10:11)

6. An eternal journey: I AM the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25)

7. A life that bears the fruit of that walk: I AM the True Vine (John 15:1)

Just the phrase I AM must have sounded like fingernails across a blackboard to the stubborn Jewish leaders. Only God is I AM and Jesus' claim of unity with God was blasphemous. And Jesus kept saying it, over and over again. Out of jealousy, the leaders wanted to kill Him! For us, these are invitations into connection with Jesus in which we draw life from the promises they make.

I AM the Good Shepherd. Tomorrow's Gospel is one that Jesus' audience could understand, but an odd one for 21st century radically individualistic urban Americans. We don't really get the relationship of sheep to their shepherd. We're going to read through it, ponder a few points, read it again (more slowly), then consider our reflection questions in our small groups.

John 10:11-18

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 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. This command I have received from my Father."

Consider:

• good shepherd: In the Old Testament, the leaders of the people are called shepherds - and Jesus is claiming that description for himself and describes himself as the Good Shepherd. We can contrast that to the evil shepherd.

• lays down his life: Shepherds were expected to do what was best for the sheep, possibly even risking their lives for the flock. The fold is simply an enclosure made of piled rocks. There is neither roof nor door, but thorns along the top of the rock walls protect the sheep from wild animals, and the shepherd himself sleeps in the entrance, literally providing a door with His very life.

• who is not a shepherd: the evil shepherd is only a mercenary who takes his responsibility for the sheep lightly and puts his own interests ahead of the sheep's well-being.

• wolf: other evil ones. There are more voices calling to the sheep than just their own shepherd's. Following Jesus means refusing to follow others who are claiming to be shepherds. Sheep flee out of fear because they do not know the voice of strangers. But there is the threat of scattering of the flock by the wolf.

• no concern: will run to protect himself rather than the sheep

• I know mine and mine know me: sheep are inherently trusting animals, but they follow a unique call by name. Our flock is not a collection of isolated individuals, but a community joined together to the life of Christ.

• I will lay down my life for the sheep: Jesus is describing the depth of His love for us, His sheep. But crucifixion? That is repulsive and humiliating. Is that supposed to unify us to Jesus? Does Jesus really expect me to also sacrifice for others? It is precisely His death that draws all men to Himself.

• other sheep that do not belong to this fold: Jesus is referring to non-Jews, which caused a great controversy in the early Church. He came to draw all men to Himself by His death.

• I lay down my life in order to take it up again: Jesus' message is of resurrection. It is the reason He came to us.

• No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own: no one took His life, He lays it down of His own accord, of His own free will.

• This command I have received from my Father: His obedience in following the will of the Father.

Read the Gospel aloud once again, slowly.

Questions for small group reflection:

1. Jesus refers to "other sheep that do not belong to this fold." Who were they then, and who are they now? What is the "fold" He mentions? How do I respond as member of the "fold" today?

2. Who (or what) is the "wolf" in my life? What protections do I have against the "wolf" today?

3. What command have I received today from Our Father?