4th Week into Eastertide are we still awake? Alive and joyful in the celebration of our Resurrected Lord? Have we remained steadfast so as to hear His soft promptings guiding us and leading closer to the bosom of God our Heavenly Father?
Or have we once again allowed the voices of the World overpower us? Have we gone back to our old routines of work and worldly distractions. Had we decided to miss our community prayer meetings as they now hold little importance to us? Well then it is we who have chosen to abandon our Shepherd! He has become a stranger to us and we can no longer recognise His voice.
While there is still breath in us it is not too late. Turn back to Him with contrite hearts and be reconciled! It is only through Jesus that we are fully alive. It is only through Him that we are One with our Heavenly Father.
Lord Jesus have mercy on me a sinner. Be with me always and never let me lose my way. You are my Shepherd I belong to You, let me always listen to Your voice. Amen Alleluia!
First reading
Acts 11:19-26 ·
They started preaching to the Greeks, proclaiming the Lord Jesus
Those who had escaped during the persecution that happened because of Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, but they usually proclaimed the message only to Jews. Some of them, however, who came from Cyprus and Cyrene, went to Antioch where they started preaching to the Greeks, proclaiming the Good News of the Lord Jesus to them as well. The Lord helped them, and a great number believed and were converted to the Lord.
The church in Jerusalem heard about this and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. There he could see for himself that God had given grace, and this pleased him, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion; for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith. And a large number of people were won over to the Lord.
Barnabas then left for Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he found him he brought him to Antioch. As things turned out they were to live together in that church a whole year, instructing a large number of people. It was at Antioch that the disciples were first called ‘Christians.’
Gospel
John 10:22-30
The Father and I are one
It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied:
‘I have told you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness;
but you do not believe,
because you are no sheep of mine.
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
CatholicJules.net 