I AM

200 Words: God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.

There are seven I AM statements in the Gospel of John.

God told Moses to tell the people that his name is I AM (Exodus 3:14). Jesus walks on the water, assumes God’s name, and declares to the frightened disciples:

I AM. Do not be afraid (John 6:20).

John then immediately sets about ‘putting flesh’ on the name of God. Today we have the fourth:

I AM the Good Shepherd (John 10).

Christ is our Good Shepherd and we are his sheep, the only animal – apparently – not to go feral.

According to St. John Vianney, priests are supposed to be good shepherds after the heart of Christ. What a gift to a parish that would be.

We should remember that priests do not choose the priesthood.

Rather, they are chosen by Christ, not because of their gifts, but because of their weaknesses:

God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong. God chose what is low and despised in the world (1Corinthinans 1:27-28).

In other words, a priest’s greatest strength is never to forget his weakness and Christ’s predilection – a beautiful word.

Amen.