Daily Readings - Mon May 04 2020
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 invite us to reflect on God’s universal love and the call to embrace diversity in our lives. In the first reading from Acts, Peter shares his vision from God, which compels him to recognize that the Gentiles, too, are called to receive the Word of God. This vision challenges Peter’s initial hesitation and the prejudices of the early Christian community, teaching them that God’s plan of salvation is not limited to the Jewish people but extends to all nations. The Holy Spirit’s descent upon the Gentiles confirms that God’s grace is available to everyone, regardless of background or identity. This moment marks a pivotal shift in the early Church, as it begins to understand its mission to the wider world.
In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who lays down His life for His sheep. He emphasizes that His flock includes not only those who currently follow Him but also others who will hear His voice. Jesus’ love is not exclusive; it is expansive, reaching beyond boundaries to unite all people under His care. The Good Shepherd’s willingness to sacrifice His life underscores the depth of His commitment to His sheep, and His mission to gather all into one flock reflects God’s desire for unity and inclusion.
These readings remind us that our faith is not meant to be confined to a specific group or community. Like Peter, we are called to overcome our biases and prejudices, recognizing that God’s love knows no bounds. As followers of the Good Shepherd, we are invited to embrace diversity and to welcome others into our lives and communities. Let us reflect on how we might be excluding others, either intentionally or unintentionally, and ask for the grace to imitate Jesus’ selfless love and universal embrace. May we, like the early Church, allow the Holy Spirit to guide us in living out the inclusive and transformative message of the Gospel.