Daily Readings - Sat May 06 2017
First Reading - 2 Timothy 4.1-5
2 Timothy
I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Gospel - John 10.11-16
John
I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound commitment required in our faith journey. The first reading from 2 Timothy urges us to preach the word with urgency and patience, even when it becomes challenging. This passage, written by Paul near the end of his life, encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in his ministry, highlighting the importance of perseverance and fidelity to the Gospel. The second reading from John presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who selflessly lays down His life for His sheep, contrasting with the hired hand who flees in times of danger. This metaphor underscores Jesus' deep care and commitment to His followers.
These readings are deeply connected through the theme of dedication and selflessness. Paul's exhortation to Timothy reflects the same unwavering commitment that Jesus exemplifies as the Good Shepherd. Both emphasize the importance of standing firm in one's responsibilities, whether in ministry or in daily life, and of caring for others with compassion and love. This relationship invites us to reflect on our own commitment to our faith and our roles within our communities.
Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are called to embody the qualities of the Good Shepherd. This means being dedicated to our responsibilities, whether in our personal or professional lives, and caring for others with the same love and concern that Jesus shows us. It involves standing firm in our beliefs, even when faced with challenges, and serving others with selflessness. As we go about our day, let us remember the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and strive to reflect His love and commitment in all that we do. May we, like Paul, fulfill our ministries with vigor and patience, and may we, like the Good Shepherd, lay down our lives in service to others.