Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 6, 2019
First Reading: 2 Timothy 4.1-5
1I testify before God, and before Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead through his return and his kingdom2that you should preach the word urgently, in season and out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke, with all patience and doctrine3For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but instead, according to their own desires, they will gather to themselves teachers, with itching ears4and certainly, they will turn their hearing away from the truth, and they will be turned toward fables5But as for you, truly, be vigilant, laboring in all things. Do the work of an Evangelist, fulfilling your ministry. Show self-restraint
Psalm 96
1A Canticle of David himself, when the house was built after the captivity. Sing to the Lord a new song. Sing to the Lord, all the earth2Sing to the Lord and bless his name. Announce his salvation from day to day3Announce his glory among the Gentiles, his miracles among all peoples4For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. He is terrible, beyond all gods5For all the gods of the Gentiles are demons, but the Lord made the heavens6Confession and beauty are in his sight. Sanctity and magnificence are in his sanctuary7Bring to the Lord, you natives of the nations, bring to the Lord glory and honor8Bring to the Lord glory for his name. Lift up sacrifices, and enter into his courts9Adore the Lord in his holy court. Let the entire earth be shaken before his face10Say among the Gentiles: The Lord has reigned. For he has even corrected the whole world, which will not be shaken. He will judge the peoples with fairness11Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth exult; let the sea and all its fullness be moved12The fields and all the things that are in them will be glad. Then all the trees of the forest will rejoic13before the face of the Lord: for he arrives. For he arrives to judge the earth. He will judge the whole world with fairness and the peoples with his truth
Gospel: John 10.11-16
11I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep12But the hired hand, and whoever is not a shepherd, to whom the sheep do not belong, he sees the wolf approaching, and he departs from the sheep and flees. And the wolf ravages and scatters the sheep13And the hired hand flees, because he is a hired hand and there is no concern for the sheep within him14I am the good Shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me15just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for my sheep16And I have other sheep that are not of this fold, and I must lead them. They shall hear my voice, and there shall be one sheepfold and one shepherd
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter powerful messages about faith, leadership, and devotion. The first reading from 2 Timothy urges us to remain steadfast in our duties, preaching the word with urgency and patience, even when it is challenging. This call to perseverance is mirrored in the Gospel, where Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd, emphasizing His selfless love and dedication to His flock.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian Church, where leaders faced numerous challenges in spreading the Gospel. Paul’s letter to Timothy serves as a reminder to stay committed to one’s faith and responsibilities, while Jesus’ metaphor of the Good Shepherd highlights the depth of His love and sacrifice for His followers. Together, these passages underscore the importance of selfless service and unwavering faith.
Applying these teachings to our daily lives, we are called to embody the qualities of the Good Shepherd. Whether in our families, communities, or workplaces, we should strive to lead with compassion and integrity. Just as Jesus lays down His life for His sheep, we are invited to live out our faith with love and sacrifice. This means being present for others, guiding them with patience, and remaining faithful even in difficult times.
The moral lesson here is clear: true leadership and discipleship are acts of self-giving love. As we navigate our own challenges, let us draw strength from Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and remember that our faith is a call to serve others with the same dedication and care that He has shown us. May we, like Timothy, fulfill our ministries with joy and perseverance, trusting in God’s providence to guide us.