Daily Readings - Mon Apr 23 2018
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
1"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber.2The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep.3The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.4When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.5But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."6Jesus used this figure of speech, but they did not understand what he was telling them.7Therefore Jesus said again, "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep.8All who ever came before me were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.9I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
Sermon
The readings today remind us of the universal call to salvation and the true nature of Jesus Christ as our shepherd. In the first reading from Acts, Peter shares his vision and experience of preaching to the Gentiles, emphasizing that God's plan of salvation extends to all people, regardless of their background. This moment marks a pivotal shift in the early Church, as the Apostles come to understand that the Gospel is not limited to the Jewish people but is meant for the whole world. In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the door of the sheepfold, teaching that He is the one true way to eternal life. He contrasts Himself with false shepherds who seek to harm, while He comes to give life abundantly.
These readings are deeply connected. Peter's vision in Acts reflects the same inclusive love that Jesus expresses in the Gospel. Just as Jesus is the door through which all must enter to find salvation, Peter learns that God has opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. Both readings emphasize unity and the universal nature of God's plan. They challenge us to recognize that no one is excluded from God's love and that Jesus is the sole source of true life and guidance.
In our daily lives, these readings call us to embrace the unity and inclusivity of God's family. Like Peter, we may face moments where we need to step out of our comfort zones and trust in God's plan, even when it seems unfamiliar or challenging. Jesus, as the Good Shepherd, invites us to listen to His voice and follow Him, trusting that He leads us to abundant life. Let us reflect on how we can be instruments of unity and how we can deepen our relationship with the Shepherd who laid down His life for us. May we, like the early Church, glorify God for His boundless mercy and love.