But I have sheep that are not from this sheep-fold,
I must bring them also.
And they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
For this reason my Father loves me
– that I lay down my life
in order to take it up again.
Nobody takes it from me,
but I lay it down by my own choice.
I have authority to lay it down
and authority to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.
There was a division again within the Jewish crowd because of these words. And many said ‘He has a demon and is insane. Why do you listen to him? Others said ‘These words are not demonic. A demon cannot open the eyes of the blind, can it?’
Thank you, dear Jesus,
for all you have given me,
for all you have taken away from me,
for all you have left me.
Thomas More (c.1478-1535)