Daily Readings - Mon May 08 2017
Acts
1The apostles and the brothers throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.2So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him3and said, "You went into the house of uncircumcised men and ate with them."4Peter began and explained everything to them precisely as it had happened:5"I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was.6I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air.7Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.'8"I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'9"The voice spoke from heaven a second time, 'Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.'10This happened three times, and then it was all pulled up to heaven again.11"Right then three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea stopped at the house where I was staying.12The Spirit told me to have no hesitation about going with them. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man's house.13He told us how he had seen an angel appear in his house and say, 'Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter.14He will bring you a message through which you and all your household will be saved.'15"As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came on them as he had come on us at the beginning.16Then I remembered what the Lord had said: 'John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'17So if God gave them the same gift as he gave us, who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could oppose God?"18When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, "So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life."
John
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.17The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life--only to take it up again.18No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father."
Sermon
The readings today remind us of God’s universal love and the call to unity among all people. In the first reading from Acts, Peter shares his vision and experience of preaching to the Gentiles, emphasizing that God’s mercy extends to all, regardless of background or identity. This was a radical message for the early Church, as it challenged the deeply rooted traditions of separation between Jews and Gentiles. Peter’s courage to embrace this new understanding, guided by the Holy Spirit, shows us that God’s plan is always one of inclusion and love. In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd, who lays down His life for His sheep. He speaks of other sheep “not of this fold,” indicating that His mission is not limited to one group but extends to all humanity. Jesus’ willingness to give His life for His sheep reflects the depth of His love and commitment to unity.
These readings are deeply connected, as they both highlight the universal nature of God’s love and the call to transcend boundaries. Peter’s vision in Acts mirrors Jesus’ teaching in John, as both emphasize that God’s grace is not confined to a select few but is available to all. The early Church’s initial resistance to including Gentiles reminds us that embracing God’s universal plan often requires us to step out of our comfort zones and let go of prejudices or narrow-mindedness. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, models this inclusivity by caring for all His sheep, even those who feel lost or marginalized.
In our daily lives, these readings invite us to reflect on how we might be excluding others or limiting God’s grace in our own hearts. Are there people we consider “outside the fold” whom God is calling us to embrace? Let us ask ourselves if we are living as true disciples of Christ, who laid down His life for all. May we, like Peter, be open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance and courageously share God’s love with everyone we meet. As we strive to follow the Good Shepherd, let us remember that unity and inclusion are at the heart of God’s plan for humanity.