ACC ~ John 10 v9

CHRIST IS THE DOOR

IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH: [Christ] is the door of the Father through which Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and the prophets, the apostles and the church all enter. All these enter into the unity of God. EPISTLE TO THE PHILADELPHIANS 9. [1]

[1] FC 1:116.

THE SHEPHERD’S ULTIMATE CONCERN FOR THE SHEEP

GREGORY OF NAZIANZUS: He is the Way, because he leads us through himself. He is the Door who lets us in, the Shepherd who makes us dwell in green pastures, [1] bringing us up by waters of rest and leading us there. He protects us from wild beasts, converts the erring, brings back what was lost and binds up what was broken. He guards the strong and brings them together into the fold beyond with words of pastoral knowledge. ON THE SON, THEOLOGICAL ORATION 4(30).21. [2]

[1] Ps 23:2 (22:2 LXX).

[2] NPNF 2 7:317*.

THE MISSION OF THE APOSTLES

CHRYSOSTOM: Here it is as though Jesus had said: They shall be safe and secure, that is, they shall remain within and no one shall throw them out. This is in reference to the apostles who went in and out boldly as though they had become masters of all the world. None could turn them out of their kingdom. But by “pasture,” Jesus means his own nurturing and feeding of the sheep as well as his power and lordship. HOMILIES ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 59.3. [1]

[1] NPNF 1 14:214**.

FINDING THE PASTURE THAT LEADS TO ETERNAL LIFE

GREGORY OF NYSSA: Where do you pasture your sheep, O good Shepherd who carries all your flock on your shoulders? For the one lamb that you took up is the entire human race, which you raised on your shoulders. Show me then the place of pasture, make known to me the waters of rest, lead me out to the good grass, call me by name that I, your sheep, may listen to your voice and may your call be the gift of eternal life. … “Show me, then,” she says, “where you feed,” [1] so that I may find the pasture of salvation and be filled with the food of heaven which all people must eat if they would enter into life. HOMILIES ON THE SONG OF SONGS 2. [2]

[1] Song 1:6.

[2] FGTG 158; PG 44:801.