Daily Readings - Tue May 06 2025
2 Timothy
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.
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.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound call to fidelity, integrity, and selfless love in our lives as followers of Christ. The second reading from 2 Timothy urges us to fulfill our mission with urgency and perseverance, preaching the Word of God in every season of life. St. Paul emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in our faith, even when the world around us grows weary of the truth and turns to false teachings. This passage is a call to vigilance and dedication, encouraging us to embrace our role as disciples and evangelists, no matter the challenges we face.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. This image contrasts sharply with the hired hand who flees in times of danger, showing no genuine care for the flock. Jesus, on the other hand, knows his sheep intimately and is willing to sacrifice everything for their sake. This passage invites us to reflect on our relationship with Christ and our commitment to one another. Just as the Good Shepherd knows his own, we are called to know and follow Christ’s voice, trusting in his love and care for us.
Together, these readings remind us of the importance of living with integrity and perseverance in our faith. Like St. Paul, we are called to proclaim the truth with courage and patience, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. And like the Good Shepherd, we are called to care for one another with selfless love, putting the needs of others before our own. Let us ask ourselves: Are we fulfilling our mission with fidelity? Are we listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd and following him with trust and obedience? May we strive to live out these values in our daily lives, becoming instruments of God’s love and truth in a world that so desperately needs it.