Readings for Fourth Sunday of Easter[1][2]
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 13:14, 43-52
This excerpt is part of Paul’s first missionary trip. His encounter with the Jewish Community in Antioch begins with his exhortation about Jesus the Messiah to the members of that community. Much of what is said in the verses missing from this reading relate to how the Lord came in fulfillment of the scriptures.
We pick up in the second part of the reading were the Jews refuse Paul’s logical apology. He then turns to the Gentiles of the region who embrace the faith with great fervor, upsetting the Pharisaic community which then forces Paul to leave.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Psalm 100 is a hymn of thanksgiving, possibly a gathering refrain. Emphasis here is on the Lord’s chosen people, the same people who rejected His Son in Acts, above.
Reading II Rev 7:9, 14b-17
The strong link here is between the vision of St. John of those who have suffered persecution (“…survived the time of great distress”) as it relates to St. Paul’s persecution in Antioch. The reading also links to our Gospel as St. John makes reference to the “Good Shepherd”.
Gospel Jn 10:27-30
The “Good Shepherd” takes the sheep, his flock, as his own possession represented by the faithful. As this passage concludes we hear conclusively that the Lord is one with the Father, truly God as well as true man.
Reflection:
The one who loves us is, at the same time, the Lamb of God who for our sake sacrificed himself that we might live, and the Good Shepherd who leads us to eternal life. As shepherd he leads us through the gates of heaven, gates opened to us by the Blood of the Lamb.
The symbolism wraps around itself in an almost loving embrace. We ask, how can we be worthy of so great a love and how can we follow such a difficult path? Ultimately we need to look at what is being said to us as Jesus the shepherd tells answers the question posed to him by the Jews; “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” He tells us, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” If we are his, what does he say to us and how do we respond?
All of the professions of faith, all of the prayers, all of the words mean nothing if not backed up with a life lived in the footsteps of the Lord. Anyone can say, “I am the Lord’s” or “Jesus is my Savior” but if they turn from those words and fail to follow his great command to us, the words are empty.
When the Lord says “…they follow me”, he is letting us know that he will recognize us by the path we follow, not by the words we say. Following the Lord is a physical act it is not just faith that justifies us in Christ. Our words must echo our lived faith.
Today as we recall the Lamb of God who is sacrifice and shepherd who leads us let us vow to follow that difficult path of love He set us upon by his own example. Let us listen for his voice in our daily lives and respond so he will see that we know him and his will for us.
Pax
[1] After Link Expiration
[2] The image today is “Adoration of the Lamb” by Hubert van Eyck, 1432
Readings from the Jerusalem Bible at Universalis
Commentary:
Reading 1 Acts 13:14, 43-52
This excerpt is part of Paul’s first missionary trip. His encounter with the Jewish Community in Antioch begins with his exhortation about Jesus the Messiah to the members of that community. Much of what is said in the verses missing from this reading relate to how the Lord came in fulfillment of the scriptures.
We pick up in the second part of the reading were the Jews refuse Paul’s logical apology. He then turns to the Gentiles of the region who embrace the faith with great fervor, upsetting the Pharisaic community which then forces Paul to leave.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5
R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Psalm 100 is a hymn of thanksgiving, possibly a gathering refrain. Emphasis here is on the Lord’s chosen people, the same people who rejected His Son in Acts, above.
Reading II Rev 7:9, 14b-17
The strong link here is between the vision of St. John of those who have suffered persecution (“…survived the time of great distress”) as it relates to St. Paul’s persecution in Antioch. The reading also links to our Gospel as St. John makes reference to the “Good Shepherd”.
Gospel Jn 10:27-30
The “Good Shepherd” takes the sheep, his flock, as his own possession represented by the faithful. As this passage concludes we hear conclusively that the Lord is one with the Father, truly God as well as true man.
Reflection:
The one who loves us is, at the same time, the Lamb of God who for our sake sacrificed himself that we might live, and the Good Shepherd who leads us to eternal life. As shepherd he leads us through the gates of heaven, gates opened to us by the Blood of the Lamb.
The symbolism wraps around itself in an almost loving embrace. We ask, how can we be worthy of so great a love and how can we follow such a difficult path? Ultimately we need to look at what is being said to us as Jesus the shepherd tells answers the question posed to him by the Jews; “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” He tells us, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” If we are his, what does he say to us and how do we respond?
All of the professions of faith, all of the prayers, all of the words mean nothing if not backed up with a life lived in the footsteps of the Lord. Anyone can say, “I am the Lord’s” or “Jesus is my Savior” but if they turn from those words and fail to follow his great command to us, the words are empty.
When the Lord says “…they follow me”, he is letting us know that he will recognize us by the path we follow, not by the words we say. Following the Lord is a physical act it is not just faith that justifies us in Christ. Our words must echo our lived faith.
Today as we recall the Lamb of God who is sacrifice and shepherd who leads us let us vow to follow that difficult path of love He set us upon by his own example. Let us listen for his voice in our daily lives and respond so he will see that we know him and his will for us.
Pax
[1] After Link Expiration
[2] The image today is “Adoration of the Lamb” by Hubert van Eyck, 1432
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