Daily Catholic Mass Readings for April 23, 2018
First Reading: Acts 11.1-18
1Now the Apostles and brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles had also received the Word of God2Then, when Peter had gone up to Jerusalem, those who were of the circumcision argued against him3saying, "Why did you enter to uncircumcised men, and why did you eat with them?4And Peter began to explain to them, in an orderly manner, saying5"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and I saw, in an ecstasy of mind, a vision: a certain container descending, like a great linen sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners. And it drew near to me6And looking into it, I considered and saw the four-footed beasts of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the flying things of the air7Then I also heard a voice saying to me: ‘Rise up, Peter. Kill and eat.8But I said: ‘Never, lord! For what is common or unclean has never entered into my mouth.9Then the voice responded a second time from heaven, ‘What God has cleansed, you shall not call common.10Now this was done three times. And then everything was taken up again into heaven11And behold, immediately there were three men standing near the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea12Then the Spirit told me that I should go with them, doubting nothing. And these six brothers went with me also. And we entered into the house of the man13And he described for us how he had seen an Angel in his house, standing and saying to him: ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is surnamed Peter14And he shall speak to you words, by which you shall be saved with your whole house.15And when I had begun to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them, just as upon us also, in the beginning16Then I remembered the words of the Lord, just as he himself said: ‘John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.17Therefore, if God gave them the same grace, as also to us, who have believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I would be able to prohibit God?18Having heard these things, they were silent. And they glorified God, saying: "So has God also given to the Gentiles repentance unto life.
Psalm 42
1Unto the end. The understanding of the sons of Korah. As the deer longs for fountains of water, so my soul longs for you, O God2My soul has thirsted for the strong living God. When will I draw close and appear before the face of God3My tears have been my bread, day and night. Meanwhile, it is said to me daily: "Where is your God?4These things I have remembered; and my soul within me, I have poured out. For I will cross into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, all the way to the house of God, with a voice of exultation and confession, the sound of feasting5Why are you sad, my soul? And why do you disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still confess to him: the salvation of my countenance6and my God. My soul has been troubled within myself. Because of this, I will remember you from the land of the Jordan and from Hermon, from the little mountain7Abyss calls upon abyss, with the voice of your floodgate. All your heights and your waves have passed over me8In the daylight, the Lord has ordered his mercy; and in the night, a canticle to him. With me is a prayer to the God of my life9I will say to God, "You are my supporter. Why have you forgotten me? And why do I walk in mourning, while my adversary afflicts me?10While my bones are being broken, my enemies, who trouble me, have reproached me. Meanwhile, they say to me every single day, "Where is your God?11My soul, why are you saddened? And why do you disquiet me? Hope in God, for I will still confess to him: the salvation of my countenance and my God
Gospel: John 10.1-10
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
The readings today remind us of the universal call to salvation and the true nature of Jesus Christ as our shepherd. In the first reading from Acts, Peter shares his vision and experience of preaching to the Gentiles, emphasizing that God's plan of salvation extends to all people, regardless of their background. This moment marks a pivotal shift in the early Church, as the Apostles come to understand that the Gospel is not limited to the Jewish people but is meant for the whole world. In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the door of the sheepfold, teaching that He is the one true way to eternal life. He contrasts Himself with false shepherds who seek to harm, while He comes to give life abundantly.
These readings are deeply connected. Peter's vision in Acts reflects the same inclusive love that Jesus expresses in the Gospel. Just as Jesus is the door through which all must enter to find salvation, Peter learns that God has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Both readings emphasize unity and the universal nature of God's plan. They challenge us to recognize that no one is excluded from God's love and that Jesus is the sole source of true life and guidance.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace the unity and inclusivity of God's family. Like Peter, we may face moments where we need to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's plan, even when it seems unfamiliar or challenging. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, invites us to listen to His voice and follow Him, trusting that He leads us to abundant life. Let us reflect on how we can be instruments of unity and how we can deepen our relationship with the Shepherd who laid down His life for us. May we, like the early Church, glorify God for His boundless mercy and love.