Daily Readings - Mon May 08 2017
Acts
1Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying,3"You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them."4But Peter began and explained it to them in order:5"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision, something like a great sheet descending, being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to me.6Looking at it closely, I observed animals and beasts of prey and reptiles and birds of the air.7And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.'8But I said, 'By no means, Lord; for nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'9But the voice answered a second time from heaven, 'What God has made clean, do not call common.'10This happened three times, and all was drawn up again into heaven.11And behold, at that very moment three men arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.12And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction. These six brothers also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.13And he told us how he had seen the angel stand in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon who is called Peter;14he will declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household.'15As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them just as on us at the beginning.16And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'17If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way?"18When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life."
John
11I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.13He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.14I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.16And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.17For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."
Sermon
The readings today remind us of God’s universal love and the call to unity among all people. In the first reading from Acts, Peter shares his vision and experience of preaching to the Gentiles, emphasizing that God’s mercy extends to all, regardless of background or identity. This was a radical message for the early Church, as it challenged the deeply rooted traditions of separation between Jews and Gentiles. Peter’s courage to embrace this new understanding, guided by the Holy Spirit, shows us that God’s plan is always one of inclusion and love. In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep. He speaks of other sheep “not of this fold,” indicating that His mission is not limited to one group but extends to all humanity. Jesus’ willingness to give His life for His sheep reflects the depth of His love and commitment to unity.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both highlight the universal nature of God’s love and the call to transcend boundaries. Peter’s vision in Acts mirrors Jesus’ teaching in John, as both emphasize that God’s grace is not confined to a select few but is available to all. The early Church’s initial resistance to including Gentiles reminds us that embracing God’s universal plan often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and let go of prejudices or narrow-mindedness. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, models this inclusivity by caring for all His sheep, even those who feel lost or marginalized.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we might be excluding others or limiting God’s grace in our own hearts. Are there people we consider “outside the fold” whom God is calling us to embrace? Let us ask ourselves if we are living as true disciples of Christ, who laid down His life for all. May we, like Peter, be open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and courageously share God’s love with everyone we meet. As we strive to follow the Good Shepherd, let us remember that unity and inclusion are at the heart of God’s plan for humanity.