Daily Readings - Sat May 06 2023
2 Timothy
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
John
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 two powerful messages about dedication and care. The first reading from 2 Timothy urges us to be urgent in preaching the Word and steadfast in our ministry, despite the challenges we may face. It reminds us that there will be times when the truth is unwelcome, but our commitment to sharing it must remain unwavering. The second reading from John presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who selflessly lays down His life for His sheep, embodying the ultimate act of love and dedication.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian community. Paul’s letter to Timothy serves as a call to perseverance, encouraging Timothy to remain faithful in his missionary work amidst adversity. In John’s Gospel, Jesus uses the shepherd metaphor to illustrate His deep care and responsibility for His followers, distinguishing Himself from those who might abandon their flock in times of danger. Together, these readings highlight the importance of steadfastness and self-sacrifice.
These passages invite us to reflect on our own commitment to our faith and to others. Just as the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep, we are called to live out our faith with compassion and dedication. In our daily lives, this means standing firm in our beliefs, caring for those around us, and being willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. Let us strive to follow Jesus’ example, living with the same love and devotion He showed to us.