" I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me " ( John 10:14 ).

In Saint Gregory the Great's "plain words : those who love me are willing to follow me, for anyone who does not love the truth has not yet come to know it..."

"Ask yourselves whether you belong to his flock, whether you know him, whether the light of his truth shines in your minds."

"I assure you that it is not by faith that you will come to know him, but by love; not by mere conviction, but by action."

" As the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep " ( John 10:15 ).

Saint Gregory sees Christ "laying down his life for his sheep," which  "gives evidence of his knowledge of the Father and the Father's knowledge of him. In other words, by the love with which he dies for his sheep he shows how greatly he loves his Father."

" My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish " ( John 10:27-28 ).

From this, Saint Gregory sees the way to follow Christ into the green pastures of eternity... "These pastures are the spiritual joys of heaven... there, to look upon the face of God with unclouded vision and feast at the banquet of life for ever more..."

"Let us set out for these pastures where we shall keep joyful festival with so many of our fellow citizens.
May the thought of their happiness urge us on!
Let us stir up our hearts, rekindle our faith, and long eagerly for what heaven has in store for us.
To love thus is to be already on our way" 

- From a homily on the Gospels by Saint Gregory the Great, pope (Hom. 14. 3-6: PL 76, 1129- 1130)