Daily Readings - Sat May 06 2023
2 Timothy
1I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;2Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.3For 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;4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.5But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
John
11I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.12But 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.13The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.16And 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 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.