Jesus refers to Himself as the gate to the sheepfold and the Good Shepherd. This signifies that He is the only way to salvation and the source of eternal life which He promises is in abundance. The life that Jesus came to bring is interpreted as the life of God and grace through the Sacraments of the Church that He established. The thieves and robbers that try to enter by another way refer to false prophets, false messiahs, or negligent leaders who harm the faithful. Unlike thieves who climb over, the shepherd enters legitimately through the door. He is recognized by the sheep (the faithful or the Church), who trust Him over strangers. The passage is a call for us to listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and to follow Him wherever He leads us since that is where our souls would find true life in Him. May we always learn to listen to His voice rather than the false voices of the world.