Daily Readings - Mon May 13 2019
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 God’s universal love and the call to follow Jesus as the true shepherd of our souls. In the first reading from Acts, Peter explains his vision to the early Christian community, recounting how God revealed to him that no one should be considered unclean or unworthy of receiving the Gospel. This vision marked a pivotal moment in the early Church, as it led to the inclusion of Gentiles in the community of believers. Peter’s courage to challenge the traditions of his time and trust in God’s plan teaches us about the importance of openness and humility in following God’s will.
In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the door of the sheepfold, emphasizing that He is the only way to true life and salvation. He warns against false shepherds who do not have the well-being of the sheep at heart. Jesus’ words invite us to reflect on whose voice we are listening to in our lives. Are we following the voice of the Good Shepherd, who leads us to abundant life, or are we being swayed by false promises that lead to destruction? Jesus’ role as the door reminds us that our ultimate security and peace come from Him alone.
These readings call us to live with hearts open to God’s surprises and to trust in His plan, even when it challenges our assumptions. Like Peter, we are called to step out of our comfort zones and embrace the diversity of God’s people. Like the sheep in Jesus’ parable, we are invited to listen to His voice and follow Him faithfully. Let us ask for the grace to be inclusive and welcoming, just as God is, and to trust in Jesus as our Shepherd, who leads us to eternal life.