The Gate” John 10:1-10 April 26, 2026 Rev. Annie Watson, Holy Family Catholic Church

 

 

In John 10, Jesus calls himself the shepherd, and we are his sheep—the ones who hear his voice and follow. It’s a tender, comforting image, one that pairs beautifully with the opening of Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.”

But in the same passage, Jesus adds another layer: “I am the gate for the sheep.”
Not the gatekeeper.
Not the fence or the wall.
Not the watchdog.
And certainly not the thief who comes to steal.

Jesus is the gate—the point of entry. Through him, we step from one reality into another.

Whenever I read this, I’m reminded of the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. My husband and I lived and served in the St. Louis area for about six and a half years before coming here four years ago. His church was in Ferguson, in North St. Louis County, while I served St. Stanislaus Polish Catholic Church downtown, just minutes from the Arch. We were practically in its shadow.

If you’ve never seen the Gateway Arch, it is truly something to behold. Rising 630 feet into the sky, it is the tallest arch in the world. Built sixty years ago, it stands as the “Gateway to the West,” a monument to the United States’ westward expansion.

For anyone driving through St. Louis, the Arch is a striking reminder of a moment in history when people stepped into a new reality, seeking abundance and opportunity. That journey required courage—because it was also filled with danger, disease, disaster, and death.

And we must also remember that westward expansion brought devastating consequences for Indigenous peoples. The Arch, for all its beauty, represents a threshold that was not good news for everyone. Still, it marks a historic crossing point, a symbolic welcome into the American West, and it gives St. Louis an unmistakable identity.

Jesus, too, is a gateway—but in a profoundly different way, with profoundly different results. He is not the threshold into the old American West, but into the newness of God’s reality. Through him, we receive an identity—not as citizens of a region, but as people who know his voice and enter through him.

He does not call us to bravery in the face of physical danger. Instead, he offers spiritual safety, abundant life, and a way of being that is good news for everyone. No one must be displaced so that others may enter. The gate of Jesus is open wide.

So as we step through this gate—from one reality into another—we are invited to ask:
Who is leading us?
What voices do we follow?
And what kind of “expansion” are we pursuing—territorial or spiritual?

Life with God is not found by heading in a certain direction on a map. It doesn’t require climbing walls, forcing our way in, or listening to voices that promise shortcuts. Life with God is found by entering through the Gate, Jesus Christ—through his way of love, truth, and self-giving.

The Gate is open.
Enter freely.
Find safety.
Find abundance.
Amen.

Celebration of Life: Rev. Wanda Russell ARCWP

https://youtu.be/d7HUpjCrCds

The stories this community shared about Wanda yesterday gave beautiful testimony to her spirit—her listening heart, her compassion, her joy, and her generous hospitality.

In this moment of grief and gratitude, we trust in Jesus’ promise—that Wanda has now heard those words fully:

“Come to me…”
not just as an invitation, but as a loving embrace into the fullness of life—reunited with her dear Mom and all her loved ones who were there to greet her as she crossed over.

Jesus speaks of a “yoke” that is easy—not because life is without struggle, but because love carries us through it.

And now, even our grief at the loss of Wanda’s earthly presence can open us to a new relationship with her—her eternal presence, her love with us always.

Wanda lived that kind of love and deep faith—
the kind that lightens the load for others,
that makes room,
that listens,
that shows up.

And that love does not end—
it becomes a blessing that goes on and on, forever.

And then we hear that beautiful promise:

“In God’s house there are many dwelling places… I go to prepare a place for you.”

A promise of home—wide enough for all, filled with belonging.
Today, we entrust Wanda into that spacious love of God,
where there is no more pain, no more worry—
only peace, only the fullness of life.

And perhaps the most comforting promise of all is this:

“I will come back and take you with me… so that where I am, you also may be.”

Love never ends.
Wanda is held in God’s embrace.

So as we remember her, we give thanks—
for her life, her love, her witness.

And we listen, even now, for the quiet invitation of Christ—
not only to Wanda, but to each of us:

Come… rest… trust…
Trust in the power of Love—
the Beloved’s unconditional and everlasting love for you.

And we echo together:
Love is our Light and our Salvation.

Today, we also hear the tender promise spoken through the prophet Isaiah and echoed in the letter to Timothy:

“I have called you by name, you are mine.
You are precious in my eyes, and I love you and give you honor…”

Today, we trust that Wanda hears these words now in their fullness—
named, claimed, loved, and welcomed home
in the heart of God.

Blessing:

Holy One,

Source of Life, Love, and Everlasting Compassion,

we gather in gratitude for Wanda—

a beloved woman priest,

a courageous witness to Gospel equality,

a companion on the journey of justice and love.

We bless her memory,

for she broke open the Word

with wisdom and tenderness.

She welcomed all to the table—

without condition, without exception

reflecting your boundless hospitality.

We remember how she

anointed the broken with hope,

stood with the marginalized in solidarity,

and lived as a sacrament of your inclusive love.

Now, Holy Mystery,

receive Wanda into your eternal embrace—

that vast communion where love never ends

and where all tears are transformed into joy.

May she rest in the deep peace of your presence,

and may she rise in glory

as part of the great cloud of witnesses

who continue to surround and guide us.

And as we remember her,

may her spirit live on in us—

in our courage to speak truth,

in our commitment to justice,

in our joyful proclamation of a Church renewed.

Wanda, faithful priest and beloved friend,

we bless you.

We thank you.

We release you into Love.

And together we say:

Gospel: 

Lector: A reading from the holy Gospel according to

Mathew and John. (Matthew 11: 28-30 and John 14: 1-3)

All: Glory to You, O God!

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will

give you rest. Take up my yoke upon you and learn from me, for

I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for

yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.” Don’t let

your hearts be troubled. You have faith in God; In God’s house

there are many dwelling places; otherwise how could I have told

you that I was going to prepare a place for you and then I will

come back to take you with me, so that where I am, there you

may be as well.