Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
Lectionary: 280
Lectionary: 280
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.
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.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
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,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
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.
that arose because of Stephen
went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to no one but Jews.
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.
The hand of the Lord was with them
and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.
The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,
and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.
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,
for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.
And a large number of people was added to the Lord.
Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul,
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.
Responsorial
Psalm87:1B-3, 4-5, 6-7
R.
(117:1a) All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
AlleluiaJN 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GospelJN 10:22-30
The feast of the Dedication was
taking place in Jerusalem.
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
It was winter.
And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
Meditation: "My sheep
hear my voice"
How
secure is your faith and trust in God? Scripture describes God's word as
a "lamp for our feet and a light for our steps"(Psalm
119:105). The Jewish Feast of the Dedication is also called
the Festival of Lights or Hanakkuh. This feast was
held in late December, near the time when Christians celebrate the feast of
Christmas. This is the time of year when the day is shortest and the night
longest. Jesus used this occasion to declare that he is the true light
of the world (John 8:12). In his light we can see who God truly is and
we can find the true path to heaven.
Our
true and lasting security rests in Jesus alone
Jesus speaks of the tremendous trust he has in God his Father and the tremendous trust we ought to have in him because he is our good shepherd (John 10:11). Sheep without a shepherd are defenseless against prey, such as wolves, and often get lost and bewildered without a guide. That is why shepherds literally live with their sheep out in the open field and mountain sides. The shepherd guards his sheep from the dangers of storms, floods, and beasts of prey. The shepherd leads his sheep to the best places for feeding and the best streams for drinking. He finds the best place for their rest and safety at night. The sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd and heed his call when he leads them to safe pasture and rest.
Jesus speaks of the tremendous trust he has in God his Father and the tremendous trust we ought to have in him because he is our good shepherd (John 10:11). Sheep without a shepherd are defenseless against prey, such as wolves, and often get lost and bewildered without a guide. That is why shepherds literally live with their sheep out in the open field and mountain sides. The shepherd guards his sheep from the dangers of storms, floods, and beasts of prey. The shepherd leads his sheep to the best places for feeding and the best streams for drinking. He finds the best place for their rest and safety at night. The sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd and heed his call when he leads them to safe pasture and rest.
Listen
to the Good Shepherd and you will not go astray
We are very much like sheep who stray - and we become easy prey to forces which can destroy us - sin, Satan, and a world in opposition to God and his people. The Lord Jesus came not only to free us from Satan's snares and the grip of sin, he came to personally lead us to the best of places where we can feed on his "word of life" and drink from the "living waters" of his Holy Spirit. The sheep who heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, have no fear. He leads them to everlasting peace, joy, and community with God and his people.
We are very much like sheep who stray - and we become easy prey to forces which can destroy us - sin, Satan, and a world in opposition to God and his people. The Lord Jesus came not only to free us from Satan's snares and the grip of sin, he came to personally lead us to the best of places where we can feed on his "word of life" and drink from the "living waters" of his Holy Spirit. The sheep who heed the voice of Jesus, the good shepherd, have no fear. He leads them to everlasting peace, joy, and community with God and his people.
In
this present life we will encounter trials, difficulties, and persecution. We
can face them alone or we can follow Jesus, the true shepherd, who will bring
us safely through every difficulty to the place of peace and security with God
and his people. Do you listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and heed his
commands?
"Lord
Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who secures what is best for each one of us.
In you alone I place all my trust and hope both now and forever. Open my ears
to hear your voice today and to follow your commands."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The Great might of Christ's hand,
by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.
"The
faithful also have the help of Christ, and the devil is not able to snatch
them. Those who have an endless enjoyment of good things remain in Christ's
hand, no one thereafter snatching them away from the bliss that is given to
them. [No one can throw them] into punishment or torments. For it is not
possible that those who are in Christ's hand should be snatched away to be
punished because of the great might Christ has. For 'the hand' in the divine
Scripture signifies 'the power'” It cannot be doubted therefore that the hand
of Christ is unconquerable and mighty to all things." (excerpt from
the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.1)
TUESDAY, MAY 5, JOHN 10:22-30
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87)
EASTER WEEKDAY
(Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 87)
KEY VERSE: "But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep" (v.26).
TO KNOW: As a faithful Jew, Jesus went to the temple for the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah). This feast commemorated the re-dedication of the temple by the Maccabees after its desecration in 164 BCE by the Syrian King Antiochus IV, Epiphanes (1 Mc 4:36-59). While in the temple, Jesus was confronted by those who demanded to know whether or not he claimed to be the Messiah. Jesus pointed to the works that he did as evidence that God had sent him. The words and works of Jesus were the words and works of God. The reason his adversaries did not recognize him was because they did not belong to his flock. Those who belonged to Jesus knew him and followed him. God gave these faithful ones to Jesus, the "good shepherd" (v.11), who kept careful watch over his own. No one could snatch them from his hand because he and the Father were one
TO LOVE: Do I follow Christ where he leads?
TO SERVE: Risen Lord, help me to discern your voice from the voices of those who would lead me astray.
CINCO DE MAYO, MAY 5
The holiday of Cinco De Mayo, the 5th Of May, commemorates the victory of the Mexicans over the French army at The Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is primarily a regional holiday celebrated in the Mexican state capital city of Puebla and throughout the state of Puebla, with some recognition in other parts of Mexico. It is not, as some think, Mexico's Independence Day, which is actually September 16. Celebrating Cinco de Mayo has become increasingly popular along the U.S.-Mexico border and in parts of the U.S. that have a high population of people with a Mexican heritage. In these areas the holiday is a celebration of Mexican culture, of food, music, beverage and customs unique to Mexico.
NATIONAL TEACHER APPRECIATION DAY
National Teacher Day is always celebrated the first Tuesday of the first full week of May. Eleanor Roosevelt persuaded the 81st Congress to proclaim a National Teacher Day in 1953. Teachers are true heroes in our communities, who through their dedication to children, work millions of small miracles every day. This day honors those hard working, patient and understanding people to whom we entrust our children. And for parents home-schooling their children during the corona virus, we applaud your taking their education seriously, for the future of our world is in your hands.
Tuesday 5 May 2020
Acts 11:19-26. All you nations, praise the Lord –
Psalm 86(87). John 10:22-30.
The Father and I are one
Sheep often get a bad rap. Dumb, bleating, aimless followers of
the one at the front of the pack. But new research is showing us that they have
an intelligence yet to be fully discovered. Jesus’ reference to sheep is always
so gentle, so encouraging, and so loving and he speaks of this in terms of a
relationship the sheep have with him. We are his sheep. How well do we know his
voice? How safe do we feel with our shepherd? How strong is our sense of
belonging? Jesus, gather us to you so that no-one can snatch us away from the
Father’s care. Keep us safe and help us to feel safe no matter what we face. We
want to be one with you and the Father!
Saint Hilary of Arles
Saint of the Day for May 5
(c. 401 – May 5, 449)
 |
| Page from a manuscript | Anonymous |
Saint Hilary of Arles’ Story
It’s been said that youth is wasted on the young. In some ways,
that was true for today’s saint.
Born in France in the early fifth century, Hilary came from an
aristocratic family. In the course of his education he encountered his
relative, Honoratus, who encouraged the young man to join him in the monastic
life. Hilary did so. He continued to follow in the footsteps of Honoratus as
bishop. Hilary was only 29 when he was chosen bishop of Arles.
The new, youthful bishop undertook the role with confidence. He
did manual labor to earn money for the poor. He sold sacred vessels to ransom
captives. He became a magnificent orator. He traveled everywhere on foot,
always wearing simple clothing.
That was the bright side. Hilary encountered difficulty in his
relationships with other bishops over whom he had some jurisdiction. He
unilaterally deposed one bishop. He selected another bishop to replace one who
was very ill–but, to complicate matters, did not die! Pope Saint Leo the
Great kept Hilary a bishop but stripped him of some of his powers.
Hilary died at 49. He was a man of talent and piety who, in due
time, had learned how to be a bishop.
Reflection
Saint Hilary teaches us to respect authority even if found
in a young person. Age is not the issue: prudence and wisdom are.
Lectio Divina: John 10:22-30
Lectio Divina
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Easter Time
1) Opening prayer
Lord God, our Father,
the Spirit of Jesus calls us, as He called Your Son,
to abandon our old selves and our old world
to be free for new life and growth.
Forgive us our fear and hesitations,
lead us out of our worn-out phrases and habits,
and our self-made certainties,
steep us in the gospel of Your Son,
that His good news may become credible
in our times and our world.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
the Spirit of Jesus calls us, as He called Your Son,
to abandon our old selves and our old world
to be free for new life and growth.
Forgive us our fear and hesitations,
lead us out of our worn-out phrases and habits,
and our self-made certainties,
steep us in the gospel of Your Son,
that His good news may become credible
in our times and our world.
We ask you this through Christ our Lord.
2) Gospel Reading - John 10:22-30
The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It
was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of
Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long are
you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."
Jesus answered them, "I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in
my Father's name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not
among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give
them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my
hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can
take them out of the Father's hand. The Father and I are one."
3) Reflection
• Chapters one to twelve of the Gospel of John are called “The
Book of Signs”. In these chapters we have the progressive revelation of the
mystery of God in Jesus. In the measure in which Jesus makes this revelation,
adherence and opposition grow around Him according to the idea which each one
has of the Messiah. This way of describing the activity of Jesus not only
serves to tell how adherence to Jesus took place at that time, but also how
this should take place in us today, as His followers and readers. At that time,
all expected the coming of the Messiah and they had their criteria of how to
recognize Him. They wanted Him to be like they imagined that He should be. But
Jesus does not submit Himself to that requirement. He reveals the Father as the
Father is and not as His listeners would want Him to be. He asks for conversion
in the way of thinking and of acting. Today, each one of us has his/her own
likes and preferences. Some times we read the Gospel to see if we find in it a
confirmation of our desires. Today’s Gospel presents some light concerning
this.
• John 10:22-24: The Jews question Jesus. It was cold; it was
Winter (v. 22). It was the Feast of the dedication which celebrated the
purification of the temple done by Judah Maccabee (2M 10:1-10). It was a very
popular Feast with much light. Jesus was out on the square of the Temple, in
the Portico of Solomon. The Jews said: "How much longer are you going to
keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us openly”. They wanted Jesus
to define Himself and that they could verify, according to their own criteria,
if Jesus was or was not the Messiah. They wanted some proof. It is the method
of one who feels that he dominates the situation. The new ones must present
their credentials. Otherwise, they have no right to speak or to act.
• John 10:25-26: Response of Jesus: the works that I do are My
witness. The response of Jesus is always the same: “I have told you, but you do
not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name are my witness; but you do
not believe, because you are no sheep of mine”. It is not a question of giving
proofs. It would be useless. When a person does not want to accept the witness
of some one, there is no proof which is valid which will lead the person to
change and think differently. The basic problem is the disinterested openness
of the person toward God and toward truth. Where this openness exists, Jesus is
recognized by His sheep. “The sheep that belong to Me listen to My voice”.
Jesus will say these words before Pilate (Jn 18:37). The Pharisees lacked this
openness.
• John 10:27-28: My sheep listen to My voice. Jesus repeats the
parable of the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and they know Him. This mutual
understanding – between Jesus who comes in the name of the Father and the
persons who open themselves to truth – is the source of eternal life. This
union between the Creator and the creature through Jesus exceeds every threat
of death: “They will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from My
hand!” They are safe and secure and, because of this, they are in peace and
enjoy full freedom.
• John 10:29-30: The Father and I are one. These two verses
refer to the mystery of the union between Jesus and the Father: “The Father,
for what He has given Me, is greater than anyone, and no one can steal anything
from My Father’s hand. The Father and I are one”. These and other phrases make
us guess or have a glimpse at something of the greatest mystery: “Anyone who
has seen Me has seen the Father” (Jn 14:9). “The Father is in Me and I am in
the Father” (Jn 10:38). He is one with the Father in mind, will, and action.
This union between Jesus and the Father is not something automatic, but rather
it is the fruit of obedience: “I always do what pleases My Father” (Jn 8:29;
6:38; 17:4). “My food is to do the will of the Father” (Jn 4:34; 5:30). The
Letter to the Hebrews says that Jesus learned obedience from the things that He
suffered (Heb 5:8). “He was obedient until death and death on the Cross” (Ph
2:8). The obedience of Jesus is not a disciplinary one, but rather it was
prophetic. He obeys in order to be totally transparent, and thus, to be the
revelation of the Father. Because of this, He could say: “The Father and I are
one!” It was a long process of obedience and of incarnation which lasted 33
years. It began with Mary’s YES (Lk 1:38) and ended with: “It is all
fulfilled!” (Jn 19:30).
4) Personal questions
• Is my obedience to God, disciplinary or prophetic? Do I reveal
something of God or am I only concerned about my own salvation?
• Jesus does not submit Himself to the exigencies of those who want to verify if He is the Messiah. Is my faith sufficient or do I ask for “signs” in order to satisfy my belief?
• Am I personally fed by doing the will of the Father? Is this “doing” only on Sunday, or occasionally, or at every moment throughout my day?
• Jesus does not submit Himself to the exigencies of those who want to verify if He is the Messiah. Is my faith sufficient or do I ask for “signs” in order to satisfy my belief?
• Am I personally fed by doing the will of the Father? Is this “doing” only on Sunday, or occasionally, or at every moment throughout my day?
5) Concluding Prayer
May God show kindness and bless us,
and make His face shine on us.
Then the earth will acknowledge your ways,
and all nations your power to save. (Ps 67:2-3)
and make His face shine on us.
Then the earth will acknowledge your ways,
and all nations your power to save. (Ps 67:2-3)
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