Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 6, 2023
First Reading: 2 Timothy 4.1-5
1I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom:2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.3For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions,4and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.5As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Psalm 96
1Oh sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth!2Sing to the LORD, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!4For great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the LORD made the heavens.6Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength!8Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts!9Worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness; tremble before him, all the earth!10Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns! Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity."11Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it;12let the field exult, and everything in it! Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy13before the LORD, for he comes, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness, and the peoples in his faithfulness.
Gospel: John 10.11-16
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.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we encounter two powerful messages about dedication and care. The first reading from 2 Timothy urges us to be urgent in preaching the Word and steadfast in our ministry, despite the challenges we may face. It reminds us that there will be times when the truth is unwelcome, but our commitment to sharing it must remain unwavering. The second reading from John presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who selflessly lays down His life for His sheep, embodying the ultimate act of love and dedication.
The context of these readings is rooted in the early Christian community. Paul’s letter to Timothy serves as a call to perseverance, encouraging Timothy to remain faithful in his missionary work amidst adversity. In John’s Gospel, Jesus uses the shepherd metaphor to illustrate His deep care and responsibility for His followers, distinguishing Himself from those who might abandon their flock in times of danger. Together, these readings highlight the importance of steadfastness and self-sacrifice.
These passages invite us to reflect on our own commitment to our faith and to others. Just as the Good Shepherd lays down His life for His sheep, we are called to live out our faith with compassion and dedication. In our daily lives, this means standing firm in our beliefs, caring for those around us, and being willing to make sacrifices for the greater good. Let us strive to follow Jesus’ example, living with the same love and devotion He showed to us.