“I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” Now when we hear the word ‘abundance’ it is easy to think of more – more money, more possessions, more comfort. But if that is what Jesus meant, then he failed – because he never made anyone rich – nowhere in the gospel does Jesus help people win the lottery.
Instead, what we see in Jesus is something quite different. He gives people peace, forgiveness, healing, belonging, hope. In other words, abundance is not about the quantity of what we have, but the quality of how we live.
A straightforward way to think of this: Abundance is a life that overflows – not with stuff, but with love, joy, and meaning. You have probably experienced moments like that. A family gathering where laughter fills the room. A quiet moment of prayer that brings deep peace. Sitting on a mountain top and gazing at the beauty of creation. Helping someone and realizing your own heart has grown. That is abundance. Nothing you can buy – but everything you really want.
But Jesus also warns us: there are “thieves and bandits” who try to steal that kind of life. And we know them well. Sometimes it is busyness – we are so busy we do not really live. Sometimes it is worry about the future or regret about the past. Sometimes grief and sorrow have stolen life. Sometimes it is that nagging voice that says, “You are not enough.” Those are the thieves. And they do not steal our possessions – they steal our peace, our joy, our sense of purpose.
That is why Jesus says something else that seems strange: “I am the gate.” A gate does two things. It lets some things in – and keeps other things out. And here is the key: Jesus is not just the gate for us. He invites us to become gatekeepers of our own hearts. That means asking: What am I allowing into my life? And what do I need to keep out?
Do I open the gate to gratitude – or to constant complaining?
Do I open the gate to forgiveness – or hold onto resentment?
Do I open the gate to God – or crowd God out with noise and distractions?
Because the truth is, every day we stand at the gate. And every day we make choices – sometimes small, sometimes big – that either lead us toward abundant life…or away from it.
Let me give you a simple image. Think of your heart like a cup. Some people live with their cup nearly empty – drained by stress, fear, and negativity. But others – maybe not richer, not healthier, not more successful – somehow their cup is full – even overflowing. What is the difference? They have learned what to let in – and what to keep out. They have learned to stay close to the voice of the Good Shepherd.
So, today’s Gospel is not asking us to become more religious – it is asking us to become more aware.
What is filling your life right now? What is draining it? And most importantly: What is one gate you need to open – and one gate you need to close? Because Jesus is very clear – abundant life is not something we wait for someday. It is offered to us right now. And we do not have to be sheepish about it. We just have to choose it.