Daily Readings - Sun May 07 2017

Second Reading - 1 Peter 2.20b-25

²⁰For what glory is there, if you sin and then suffer a beating? But if you do well and suffer patiently, this is grace with God²¹For you have been called to this because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in his footsteps²²He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth²³And when evil was spoken against him, he did not speak evil. When he suffered, he did not threaten. Then he handed himself over to him who judged him unjustly²⁴He himself bore our sins in his body upon the tree, so that we, having died to sin, would live for justice. By his wounds, you have been healed²⁵For you were like wandering sheep. But now you have been turned back toward the Pastor and the Bishop of your souls

Gospel - John 10.1-10

John

Chapter 10

¹"Amen, amen, I say to you, he who does not enter through the door into the fold of the sheep, but climbs up by another way, he is a thief and a robber²But he who enters through the door is the shepherd of the sheep³To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name, and he leads them out⁴And when he has sent out his sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice⁵But they do not follow a stranger; instead they flee from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.⁶Jesus spoke this proverb to them. But they did not understand what he was saying to them⁷Therefore, Jesus spoke to them again: "Amen, amen, I say to you, that I am the door of the sheep⁸All others, as many as have come, are thieves and robbers, and the sheep did not listen to them⁹I am the door. If anyone has entered through me, he will be saved. And he shall go in and go out, and he shall find pastures¹⁰The thief does not come, except so that he may steal and slaughter and destroy. I have come so that they may have life, and have it more abundantly

Sermon

In today's readings, we encounter profound truths about following Christ and finding salvation through Him. The Second Reading from 1 Peter emphasizes Christ's example of enduring suffering without sin, calling us to patience and justice. The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the door to salvation, contrasting Himself with false shepherds, and promises abundant life to those who follow Him. The context of 1 Peter is a letter to early Christians facing persecution, urging them to endure with Christ as their model. In John's Gospel, Jesus' discourse highlights His role as the true shepherd, ensuring His followers' safety and salvation. Both readings stress the importance of following Christ's example and trusting in His divine plan. In our daily lives, these readings encourage us to endure trials patiently and remain faithful to Christ's teachings. By recognizing Jesus as our true shepherd, we find guidance and protection. The moral lesson is clear: faith and trust in Christ lead to abundant life, reminding us to stay true to His path and find fulfillment in His love.