Guest Post by: David Tonaszuck
A reflection on the Gospel of John 10:1-10
Dear friends in Christ,
There was a man named John who, for much of his life, felt lost. He grew up in a small town, knew the routines of daily life, but a shadow seemed always to hover at the edge of his spirit. John tried to fill the emptiness with work, with distractions, even with the approval of others. None of it lasted. He wandered, like a sheep without a shepherd, never feeling truly at home, never truly at peace. One day, in a moment of quiet desperation, John found himself sitting alone in a church, staring at the crucifix. He whispered a prayer he wasn’t sure he believed: “Jesus, if you’re real, help me.”
Something shifted. Over the next days, John felt drawn back to the church, to Scripture, and to prayer. He met a priest who listened, who encouraged him to read the Gospels, to come to Mass, to let Jesus lead him. John gradually realized that Jesus was not a distant figure, but a Shepherd who knew him by name, who had been calling him all along. As John learned to trust Jesus and follow Him, his life changed. He found hope where before there was only emptiness. And, slowly, almost without realizing it, he began reaching out to others who felt lost as he once did. He listened, he prayed with them, he invited them to experience the same peace he’d found. John became a shepherd of souls, leading others to the Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ.
The Call of the Good Shepherd
Brothers and sisters, today’s Gospel invites us into this same hope‑filled journey. Jesus speaks of Himself as both the Shepherd and the Gate: “Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture… I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
The key message here is astonishing in its simplicity and power: Jesus is not only the one who calls us; He is the way to everything our hearts long for. He leads us into God’s loving presence, where we find nourishment, rest, and purpose. In a world filled with voices that promise happiness but leave us empty—the thieves and robbers Jesus warns about—only Christ offers real, abundant life.
How do we experience this? The sheep hear the Shepherd’s voice. They follow because they recognize Him, because He calls them by name. It is a relationship, not a set of rules. Jesus knows you intimately—your hopes, your wounds, your gifts, your weaknesses. He calls you to Himself, not as just another face in the crowd, but as a beloved child of God.
The Catholic writer Henri Nouwen once said: “The voice of despair says, ‘You are nothing, nobody, never enough.’ The voice of Jesus says, ‘You are my beloved. On you my favor rests.’” When we listen for that voice and follow it, we discover hope. We find pasture. We are saved, not just from sin, but from meaninglessness, from wandering, from the emptiness that so many in our world experience.
But Jesus does not stop there. He sends us out: “They will come in and go out and find pasture.” He wants us not just to be comforted, but to become comforters; not just to be loved, but to become ambassadors of His love. The abundant life He promises is not only a personal blessing, but a calling. Like John in our story, we are invited to become shepherds for others—through our kindness, our witness, our prayer, and our willingness to share the hope we have found.
Living the Abundant Life
So how do we follow Jesus as our Shepherd right now?
First, we listen for His voice—through prayer, Scripture, and the Sacraments – especially the Eucharist. Spend time in silence each day, even if only for a few minutes, and ask Jesus to speak to your heart. When you come to Mass, come expecting to encounter Him in Word and Sacrament.
Second, we trust Him enough to follow, even when the path is uncertain. The Shepherd goes ahead of the sheep. Sometimes He leads us out of comfort, sometimes into unknown pastures, but always toward love and life.
Finally, we allow ourselves to be sent—to go out and find pasture not just for ourselves, but for others. That might mean reaching out to a neighbor in need, forgiving someone who has hurt us, or simply sharing a word of encouragement. It always means bringing God’s love into the world, one heart at a time.
Friends, the promise is true: There is hope in following Jesus. He is our Shepherd, our Gate, our way to the fullness of life. No matter how lost we may feel, no matter how many wrong turns we’ve taken, His voice calls us home—and then sends us out to bring others home as well.
Let us give thanks and praise and glory to our Lord, whose love never fails. May we listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd, follow Him with trust, and go out to share His abundant life. In the name of Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, may we bring others to know the joy of being God’s beloved children. Amen.
About Our Guest Blogger
Saint Carlo Acutis once said, “Not me, but God.” His words echo deeply in my own spiritual life. This blog is not about me, but about the work of the Holy Spirit. I choose to remain anonymous because the voice behind these reflections isn’t what matters — the One speaking through them is.
I am a lifelong Catholic with a deep love for Scripture, the sacraments, and the quiet ways God speaks through everyday life. Live the Eucharist was born from my desire to share how the Gospel and the Eucharist shape not just my Sundays, but every step of the journey.
My hope is that these reflections bless you, challenge you, and draw you closer to Jesus — truly present in the Eucharist and profoundly present in your daily life.
