Fourth Week of Easter
2nd May 2023 (Tuesday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 11:19-26
19 Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. 20 There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. 21 The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. 22 The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas [to go] to Antioch. 23 When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, 24 for he was a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord. 25 Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, 26 and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Psalm 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7 (Psalm 117:1a)
R/. O praise the Lord, all you nations. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 10:22-30
22 The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. 23 And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. 24 So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” 25 Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. 27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one."
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: Good spreads!
Indicative: God never stops working. He never ceases to call us to see His hand and trust in Him. But it needs a fundamental belonging to the Lord, to recognise and believe {alertSuccess}
1. “For the first time in Antioch, the believers and followers of Christ are called Christians. It is not a mere address or name or label. It is their identity. It indicates that they radically belong to him.
2. In the present times, many may bear the name of a Christian but do not bear the life of Christ. They may belong externally to a believing community but do not belong to the person of Christ.
3. The unbelieving Jews were this kind. They did not believe in Jesus because they did not feel belonging to him. They did not recognise him as their shepherd and themselves as sheep. They conducted themselves as strangers. They failed to see and accept God’s own works testified in Jesus.
4. To belong to Christ is not merely an allegiance or affinity or membership or name. It is nurturing an intimate relationship with the Lord. It is a matter of bonding. It is to share his life and mission. It is to live as the sheep of the shepherd. It is to be attentive to the shepherd’s voice. It is to grow in the knowledge and experience of him.
5. It is to cling to him so that “no one can take them out of his hand”. And referring to the words of the first reading, it is to “remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart”. Further, it is also to share with others the same gift and treasure of faith, like Barnabas and the other apostles.
6. They were good men, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. They set themselves on a mission “to add many others too to Christ”.
Imperative: We need not lose heart when obstacles come on the way of our faith commitment. We must remain clung to our Good Shepherd and live our faith and testify the same to others{alertSuccess}