Daily Readings - Mon Apr 26 2021
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 invite us to reflect on God’s universal plan of salvation and the call to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In the first reading from Acts, Peter shares his vision from God, which opened his eyes to the truth that the Gospel is for all people, not just the Jews. This vision was a turning point for the early Church, as it led to the inclusion of Gentiles in the community of believers. Peter’s courage to act on this revelation, despite resistance, shows us that God’s plan is often bigger than our limited understanding. The Holy Spirit’s descent upon the Gentiles confirmed that salvation is for everyone who believes.
In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the door of the sheepfold and the Good Shepherd. He emphasizes that His sheep know His voice and follow Him, while they flee from strangers. This teaches us to discern God’s voice in our lives and to trust in His guidance. Jesus came not just to save us but to give us abundant life. The thief, on the other hand, comes to steal, kill, and destroy. This contrast reminds us that our ultimate choice is between following Jesus, who leads us to life, or succumbing to the false promises of the world.
These readings remind us that our faith is not confined to a select few but is meant to embrace all people. Like Peter, we are called to overcome our prejudices and trust in God’s plan. As we navigate our daily lives, let us listen to Jesus’ voice, which calls us to love, forgiveness, and unity. May we, like the Gentiles in the first reading, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to transform us. Jesus is our door to eternal life; let us enter through Him with faith and trust, knowing that He will lead us to green pastures.