Daily Catholic Mass Readings for May 6, 2017
First Reading: 2 Timothy 4.1-5
1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:2Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear.4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.5But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Psalm 96
1Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth.2Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day.3Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.4For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods.5For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens.6Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.7Ascribe to the LORD, O families of nations, 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 his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.10Say among the nations, "The LORD reigns." The world is firmly established, it cannot be moved; he will judge the peoples with equity.11Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it;12let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them. Then all the trees of the forest will sing for joy;13they will sing before the LORD, for he comes, he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in his truth.
Gospel: John 10.11-16
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.12The hired hand is not the shepherd who owns the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.13The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.14"I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me--15just as the Father knows me and I know the Father--and I lay down my life for the sheep.16I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock 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.