Daily Readings - Mon Apr 26 2021
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 invite us to reflect on God’s universal plan of salvation and the call to follow Jesus, the Good Shepherd. In the first reading from Acts, Peter shares his vision from God, which opened his eyes to the truth that the Gospel is for all people, not just the Jews. This vision was a turning point for the early Church, as it led to the inclusion of Gentiles in the community of believers. Peter’s courage to act on this revelation, despite resistance, shows us that God’s plan is often bigger than our limited understanding. The Holy Spirit’s descent upon the Gentiles confirmed that salvation is for everyone who believes.
In the Gospel, Jesus describes Himself as the door of the sheepfold and the Good Shepherd. He emphasizes that His sheep know His voice and follow Him, while they flee from strangers. This teaches us to discern God’s voice in our lives and to trust in His guidance. Jesus came not just to save us but to give us abundant life. The thief, on the other hand, comes to steal, kill, and destroy. This contrast reminds us that our ultimate choice is between following Jesus, who leads us to life, or succumbing to the false promises of the world.
These readings remind us that our faith is not confined to a select few but is meant to embrace all people. Like Peter, we are called to overcome our prejudices and trust in God’s plan. As we navigate our daily lives, let us listen to Jesus’ voice, which calls us to love, forgiveness, and unity. May we, like the Gentiles in the first reading, open our hearts to the Holy Spirit and allow Him to transform us. Jesus is our door to eternal life; let us enter through Him with faith and trust, knowing that He will lead us to green pastures.