By Deborah Castellano Lubov
The Lord does not come to take anything from us. Rather, He is the Good Shepherd who increases life and offers it to us in abundance.
Pope Leo XIV offered this reminder during his Regina Caeli address in the Vatican on Sunday.
Before reciting the midday Marian prayer of the Easter season, the Holy Father invited the faithful to keep their eyes and hearts focused on the gifts that nourish faith and joy, while remaining vigilant against anything that may undermine them.
Shepherds and thieves
The Pope began by recalling the day’s reading from the Gospel of John, in which Jesus compares Himself to both a shepherd and the gate of the sheepfold, highlighting the contrast between the shepherd and the thief.
He explained that Jesus distinguishes clearly between the two: the shepherd enters through the gate because of his bond with the sheep, while the one who climbs in another way reveals himself as a thief intent on harm.
Christ, by contrast, the Pope stressed, comes so that all may have life in abundance.
Jesus knows and seeks us like a shepherd seeks his sheep
The Pope emphasized that Jesus is bound to us by a relationship of friendship. He knows us, calls us by name, guides us, and seeks us out when we are lost, caring for us with tenderness.
The Holy Father stressed that Jesus does not come to take away our life or freedom, but to lead us along the right path.
Rather than deceiving our conscience, Pope Leo underscored, Christ enlightens it. And rather than diminishing our joys, the Pope continued, Jesus opens them to a deeper and lasting happiness.
Thus, the Holy Father reassured the faithful that those who entrust themselves to Him have nothing to fear, for He comes not to deprive us, but to give life in its fullness.
Remaining vigilant
At the same time, Pope Leo invited the faithful to remain attentive to what enters their hearts and lives.
“They could be people who, regardless of appearances, suppress our freedom or fail to respect our dignity; beliefs and biases that prevent us from viewing others and life with serenity; mistaken ideas that can lead us to make negative choices; or superficial and consumeristic lifestyles that leave us empty on the inside and push us to live constantly beyond ourselves.”
Pope Leo also said we must not forget those “thieves” who, “by pillaging the earth’s resources, waging blood-thirsty wars, or fueling evil in any form, do nothing but rob each of us of the possibility of a future marked by peace and serenity.”
In light of this, the Holy Father encouraged everyone to reflect on who they allow to guide them in life and to guard against influences that may lead them astray.
Trust in the Lord
Finally, the Pope reiterated that the Gospel calls us to place our trust in the Lord.
“Christ,” the Holy Father reiterated, “does not take anything away; instead, He is the Good Shepherd who gives life in abundance.”
Finally, Pope Leo concluded by entrusting all to the intercession of Mary, praying the Blessed Mother may accompany us on our journey. – Vatican News
