Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 6, 2024
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 are reminded of the profound commitment required of those who follow Christ and the transformative power of selfless love. The first reading from 2 Timothy urges us to remain faithful in our mission, even when the task is difficult. Paul exhorts Timothy to preach the Word with urgency and patience, warning that there will be times when people prefer false teachings over the truth. This passage calls us to perseverance and integrity in living out our faith, even in the face of adversity.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep. Unlike the hired hand who flees in times of danger, the Good Shepherd remains steadfast, demonstrating unwavering care and love. This image invites us to reflect on our own commitment to Christ and to others. Just as the Good Shepherd knows His sheep, we are called to cultivate a deep, personal relationship with Jesus, listening to His voice and following His lead.
These readings challenge us to examine our lives and ask: Are we living as faithful stewards of God’s love? Do we remain loyal and steadfast, even when the path is difficult? Let us strive to imitate the Good Shepherd by loving selflessly and serving others with generosity. May we, like Paul, fulfill our mission with courage and joy, trusting in God’s grace to guide us. In doing so, we become part of the one flock under the care of the one Shepherd, united in His love and truth.