Daily Readings - Tue May 06 2025
2 Timothy
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.
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.
Sermon
In today’s readings, we are reminded of the profound call to fidelity, integrity, and selfless love in our lives as followers of Christ. The second reading from 2 Timothy urges us to fulfill our mission with urgency and perseverance, preaching the Word of God in every season of life. St. Paul emphasizes the importance of remaining steadfast in our faith, even when the world around us grows weary of the truth and turns to false teachings. This passage is a call to vigilance and dedication, encouraging us to embrace our role as disciples and evangelists, no matter the challenges we face.
The Gospel from John presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who lays down his life for his sheep. This image contrasts sharply with the hired hand who flees in times of danger, showing no genuine care for the flock. Jesus, on the other hand, knows his sheep intimately and is willing to sacrifice everything for their sake. This passage invites us to reflect on our relationship with Christ and our commitment to one another. Just as the Good Shepherd knows his own, we are called to know and follow Christ’s voice, trusting in his love and care for us.
Together, these readings remind us of the importance of living with integrity and perseverance in our faith. Like St. Paul, we are called to proclaim the truth with courage and patience, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular. And like the Good Shepherd, we are called to care for one another with selfless love, putting the needs of others before our own. Let us ask ourselves: Are we fulfilling our mission with fidelity? Are we listening to the voice of the Good Shepherd and following him with trust and obedience? May we strive to live out these values in our daily lives, becoming instruments of God’s love and truth in a world that so desperately needs it.