Fourth Sunday of Easter

Lectionary: 49

Reading 1

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
"Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified."

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and they asked Peter and the other apostles,
"What are we to do, my brothers?"
Peter said to them,
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is made to you and to your children
and to all those far off,
whomever the Lord our God will call."
He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,
"Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
Those who accepted his message were baptized,
and about three thousand persons were added that day.
 

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 

Reading 2

1 Peter 2:20b-25

Beloved:
If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good,
this is a grace before God.
For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

When he was insulted, he returned no insult;
when he suffered, he did not threaten;
instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,
so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep,
but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
 

Alleluia

John 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 

Gospel

John 10:1-10

Jesus said:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

Today is Good Shepherd Sunday, a day to reflect on how Jesus Christ is leading us in our lives, while also reflecting on our responsibilities and expectations as Children of the Resurrection as we continue to celebrate the Easter Joy in this season. Jesus constantly calls us to follow Him and listen to Him. This is one of the many gifts that we are given from Him. Our God wants to enter into a personal relationship with us and become as intimidate with us if we will allow it. He demonstrated His willingness to do this through His crucifixion and then emphasized His dedication through His words of encouragement:

 

“Remain in me and I will remain in you.”

“No, I will not abandon you as orphans-I will come to see you.”

“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

These words were used to comfort His Apostles and disciples. They have also been spoken to comfort us. As a shepherd calls his sheep, so does Jesus call to us to follow Him and pass through the gate to the Father. He is the one true gate and the one true shepherd. As sheep are familiar with the shepherd’s voice, we too must familiarize ourselves with the voice of Jesus if we are to recognize His influence within our lives and if we are going to be able to hear Him when He speaks. This does take effort and dedication on our part; a commitment beyond just periodic worship and prayer. When we familiarize ourselves with something (a person, relationship, place, or object) we naturally assign a value to it. During this Easter Season, we can challenge ourselves and ask a question:

 

“How much importance do we assign to our Lord Jesus Christ, and how important is our relationship with Him?”

 

We can easily say that Jesus Christ is important to us, but how important is He really? What sacrifices have we made and what are we willing to give up in the future to become closer to Him? It is very easy to just claim our intentions regarding our relationship, but to do the hard work and make the sacrifices demanded is another thing altogether. This can take a lot of dedication and work, but it is definitely worth it.

 

Unfortunately, society has developed in us a demand for immediate results and immediate stimulation when things are sought after. Research has revealed to us that, as a society, our attention span has lessened greatly over the past decades. The introduction of television, the home computer, the internet, cellphones, and an increased importance placed on self-indulgence has all chipped away at our fortitude and determination when pursuing something worthwhile, especially when the benefits may not be revealed until a much later date. One recent study has shown that our attention span has decreased more than 66% over the past 20 years. This means that, as a society, we are more resistant to working on something that does not offer immediate gratification in comparison to something that increases the dopamine levels in our brain. Regardless of this, we are individuals who can voluntarily commit to something that needs to be worked on, if it feels like it is the right thing to do. Wouldn’t it be good for us to fully understand Jesus and the Incarnation (the word becoming flesh), then spread the Good News, while letting this knowledge influence our decision-making process? That is what Jesus is telling us to do: To follow Him as the shepherd’s voice, and to listen to what He has to say.

 

Many of us carry “self-inflicted wounds” which have made parts of our lives very challenging. These wounds can include alcoholism, drug addiction, incarceration, or just simply a focus on the material instead of the spiritual. The Apostle Paul tells us today that,

 

 “He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,

so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.

By his wounds you have been healed.

For you had gone astray like sheep.”

 

Those of us who may have gone just a little bit deeper and darker, in comparison to other people, may find ourselves suffering immensely with this guilt and regret. Knowing that we have already been forgiven and healed for those times can offer us relief where we thought there was none. If our God has already did the heavy lifting, why do we still beat ourselves up over these things? It truly is time to move on, going forward as new creations and Children of the Resurrection.

 

It is true that, as Christians, we are destined to suffer for some time, just because of who we are. Embracing that suffering and asking Jesus to alleviate these things will always render positive results.

 

Jesus Christ is the Good Shepherd and we are His sheep. Knowing something means that we will not be able to forget it. Once we have that understanding, then we will be able to embrace our brokenness and hand it over to Jesus, who will make us whole again.

 

Deacon Tom

 

Third Sunday of Easter

Lectionary: 46

Reading 1

Acts 2:14, 22-33

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
"You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem.
Let this be known to you, and listen to my words.
You who are Israelites, hear these words.
Jesus the Nazarene was a man commended to you by God
with mighty deeds, wonders, and signs,
which God worked through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.
This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,
you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.
But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,
because it was impossible for him to be held by it.
For David says of him:
I saw the Lord ever before me,
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
Therefore my heart has been glad and my tongue has exulted;
my flesh, too, will dwell in hope, 
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your holy one to see corruption.
You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.

"My brothers, one can confidently say to you
about the patriarch David that he died and was buried,
and his tomb is in our midst to this day.
But since he was a prophet and knew that God had sworn an oath to him
that he would set one of his descendants upon his throne,
he foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ,
that neither was he abandoned to the netherworld
nor did his flesh see corruption.
God raised this Jesus;
of this we are all witnesses.
Exalted at the right hand of God,
he received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father
and poured him forth, as you see and hear."
 

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-8, 9-10, 11

R. (11a) Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge;
I say to the LORD, "My Lord are you."
O LORD, my allotted portion and my cup,
you it is who hold fast my lot.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I bless the LORD who counsels me;
even in the night my heart exhorts me.
I set the LORD ever before me;
with him at my right hand I shall not be disturbed.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices, 
my body, too, abides in confidence;
because you will not abandon my soul to the netherworld,
nor will you suffer your faithful one to undergo corruption.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You will show me the path to life,
abounding joy in your presence,
the delights at your right hand forever.
R. Lord, you will show us the path of life.
or:
R. Alleluia.
 

Reading 2

1 Peter 1:17-21

Beloved:
If you invoke as Father him who judges impartially
according to each one's works,
conduct yourselves with reverence during the time of your sojourning,
realizing that you were ransomed from your futile conduct,
handed on by your ancestors,
not with perishable things like silver or gold
but with the precious blood of Christ
as of a spotless unblemished lamb.

He was known before the foundation of the world 
but revealed in the final time for you,
who through him believe in God
who raised him from the dead and gave him glory,
so that your faith and hope are in God.
 

Alleluia

Cf. Luke 24:32

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Lord Jesus, open the Scriptures to us;
make our hearts burn while you speak to us.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
 

Gospel

Luke 24:13-35

That very day, the first day of the week, 
two of Jesus' disciples were going
to a village seven miles from Jerusalem called Emmaus,
and they were conversing about all the things that had occurred.
And it happened that while they were conversing and debating,
Jesus himself drew near and walked with them,
but their eyes were prevented from recognizing him.
He asked them, 
"What are you discussing as you walk along?"
They stopped, looking downcast.
One of them, named Cleopas, said to him in reply,
"Are you the only visitor to Jerusalem
who does not know of the things
that have taken place there in these days?"
And he replied to them, "What sort of things?"
They said to him, 
"The things that happened to Jesus the Nazarene,
who was a prophet mighty in deed and word
before God and all the people,
how our chief priests and rulers both handed him over
to a sentence of death and crucified him.
But we were hoping that he would be the one to redeem Israel;
and besides all this,
it is now the third day since this took place.
Some women from our group, however, have astounded us:
they were at the tomb early in the morning 
and did not find his body;
they came back and reported
that they had indeed seen a vision of angels
who announced that he was alive.
Then some of those with us went to the tomb
and found things just as the women had described,
but him they did not see."
And he said to them, "Oh, how foolish you are!
How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!
Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things
and enter into his glory?"
Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets,
he interpreted to them what referred to him
in all the Scriptures.
As they approached the village to which they were going,
he gave the impression that he was going on farther.
But they urged him, "Stay with us,
for it is nearly evening and the day is almost over."
So he went in to stay with them.
And it happened that, while he was with them at table,
he took bread, said the blessing,
broke it, and gave it to them.
With that their eyes were opened and they recognized him,
but he vanished from their sight.
Then they said to each other,
"Were not our hearts burning within us
while he spoke to us on the way and opened the Scriptures to us?"
So they set out at once and returned to Jerusalem
where they found gathered together
the eleven and those with them who were saying,
"The Lord has truly been raised and has appeared to Simon!"
Then the two recounted 
what had taken place on the way
and how he was made known to them in the breaking of bread.

 

MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS,

 

“He was made known to them in the breaking of bread.”

For forty days after his resurrection, Jesus appeared to His Apostles and disciples in many ways, each with an intended purpose. Many received the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, while others received catechesis and instruction. All these occurrences shaped them further and strengthened their faith. All doubt of Jesus’ divinity was removed and they were on fire with the faith. With the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding, all that was given to them before was revealed completely and all things fell into place. Where they remained hidden in the upper room before, they now stood up to those in positions of authority and power to rebuke them and claim their birthright as Children of God. Today, in the First Reading, Peter announced what is a dogma of our faith:

 

“This man, delivered up by the set plan and foreknowledge of God,

you killed, using lawless men to crucify him.

But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death,

because it was impossible for him to be held by it.”

 

He then reminds them of Jesus’ lineage through King David and how the revelation of Jesus Christ was revealed to David, with an understanding even then that death had been conquered, and eternal life was given to all of us. Death is no longer to be feared and there is only eternal life remaining through a relationship with God and  Jesus Christ.

 

From King David to Peter, all fear and doubt had been removed. Those touched by God and those who enter into relationship with Him, become a vehicle through which God builds up His kingdom here on this earth. Where His presence is known, all fear dissipates and only joy remains: a perfect emotion and state of being. The pinnacle of this existence is an understanding that there is no death remaining, for it has been conquered.

 

As the Book of the Acts of the Apostles progresses, the Breaking of the Bread is mentioned several times. We read about it in the Gospel reading today, how two of Jesus’ disciples recognized Him because of this act. The establishment of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ, has already been touched upon through Jesus’ instructions at the Last Supper, and now it is continuously being emphasized. The message is clear: Jesus Christ is realized and seen through the breaking of the bread.

 

“This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”

 

“This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you.”

 

Inextricably clear, we are to eat His body and drink His blood, as Jesus commanded, thus uniting ourselves to Him physically, mentally, and spiritually. All followers of Jesus did this every time they gathered to worship and there were special instructions set down in writing in a document named, “The Didache,” or “The teachings of the Twelve Apostles.” This document offered instruction to first century Christians regarding the Eucharist being the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, along with other dogmas that could not be refuted.

 

What does that mean for us? This means that the Eucharist must be a central part of our relationship with Jesus Christ and that we should be open to having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that has the Eucharist as its primary vehicle. It is through the Eucharist that Jesus Christ is realized, and it is through consuming it that we receive that vital spiritual food that is necessary to combat the evils of the world and everything that opposes God.

 

As we continue to celebrate the Easter Season, we are encouraged to approach our faith with more vigor and an understanding that we cannot separate our faith-life from our physical life. They are intertwined and are the things that define us, regarding who we are and where we are going. If we are indeed Children of the Resurrection and have claimed our birthright as Children of God, then we must act accordingly. Also, as children, we must listen to our Father and do what He says to lead a fulfilling life and experience His love. Spiritual gifts will follow and His Divine Mercy, along with all of His love, will then pour down upon us uninhibited.

 

There are times in our lives, especially in moments of crisis, that we will find ourselves struggling for answers. As Christians, the answers that we are usually seeing have already been given to us through Sacred Scripture, Sacred Tradition, and the Teachings of the Church. It is up to us to get out of our own way and actually listen to the answers. It is through these things known as the Deposit of Faith, that we can come to understand that there is no need to question anything. It is through the pursuit of wisdom and a trust in God that we will come to understand these things even before we feel the need to seek them. That is what happened to the two disciples on the road to Emmaus when they encountered Jesus. Jesus rebuked them by saying,

 

"Oh, how foolish you are!

How slow of heart to believe all that the prophets spoke!

Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things

and enter into his glory?"

 

In other words, they should have known that Jesus was to be resurrected, but they got in their own way and human emotion coupled with their self-will got in the way of fully understanding had occurred and what is still occurring around themselves.

 

Now knowing fully that we are God’s children and Children of the Resurrection, we need to have constant diligence so as not to be caught off-guard. We really do not have any excuse for that to occur. We are indeed possessors of the truth and bearers of the Eucharist. Possessing the truth means we should have no fear of what is to come. Bearing the Eucharist means that God is with us and we should have no fear, only joy in knowing that our Father is with us and watching over us.

 

Deacon Tom