Daily Readings - Mon Apr 23 2018
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
1"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber.2But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.3To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.5A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers."6This figure of speech Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.7So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.8All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.9I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it 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.