Jesus describes Himself as both the shepherd and the gate for the sheep. How great that He is our shepherd, calling us by name and calling us that we may have “life in all its abundance.” This abundant life is epitomized by the early Church as seen in Acts—the result of fellowship, breaking bread together, prayer, attention to the apostles’ teachings, and sharing all things in common. How far removed we sometimes feel from that early paradigm of selfless giving! But when we return to our Good Shepherd, after going astray and possibly suffering because of it, we find ourselves welcomed home and healed.