Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - Our God is a God who wants to lead us to safety and to places where there is abundance.

 

Tuesday, April 28, 2026 - Do you believe that God always wants what is best for you? How will you respond if things do not go the way you wish them to go today?

To read the texts click on the texts: Acts 11:19-26; Jn10:22-30

The verses that begin today’s reading inform us that Jesus is in Jerusalem at the Feast of Dedication which was celebrated in December each year. This feast is the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. It celebrated the liberation of Jerusalem from the reign of the Syrian (Seleucid) king Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus had defiled the Jerusalem Temple in 167 BCE by building an altar to his own gods within the Temple sanctuary.  In 165 BCE, Judas Maccabeus and his brothers regained control of the Temple and rededicated it to the God of Israel. The eight-day feast took place in the month December and was marked by the lighting of lamps and rejoicing.

The Jewish religious authorities begin the dialogue by asking Jesus whether he is the Messiah. They are annoyed that Jesus is not being explicit. This is the only place in the Gospel of John where Jesus is asked explicitly whether he is the Messiah. Jesus responds that he has been explicit and that he has told them, in no uncertain terms, the truth about himself and yet, they do not believe. Jesus then points to his ‘works” as indicators of this claim. “Works” here does not refer to miracles alone, but to the broader scope of Jesus’ ministry and includes the revelation of himself as having been sent by God.

Belief in Jesus determines whether one belongs to the fold of Jesus. Since the Jewish leaders do not believe, they cannot and do not belong to the fold. Those who belong to the fold hear the voice of the Shepherd and follow trustingly. Following Jesus leads to eternal life which he alone can give. The reason why Jesus can do this is because he has received this gift directly from the Father. What is more is that Jesus and the Father are one. This means that Jesus and God are united in their work of salvation and Jesus shares completely in God’s work.

We are privileged, as Christians, to have as our God one who is Good Shepherd, one whose primary interest and concern is to care for the good of the sheep. Our God is a God who wants to lead us to safety and to places where there is abundance. He wants what is best for us at all times and will do anything to protect us from any kind of harm. Though this is the case, we do not always listen to his voice and we prefer to go our own way. The only result that we can expect, after such a choice, is destruction and death.

Monday, April 27, 2026 - The Good shepherd leads the sheep safely to green pastures

 

Monday, April 27, 2026 - Have you met the Shepherd? If no, why not?

To read the texts click on the texts: Acts 11:1-18; Jn 10:11-18

In the eight verses of today’s Gospel, Jesus twice describes himself as the Good Shepherd. This clearly indicates that the thrust of these verses is on the meaning of this term and also on the relationship of the shepherd and his sheep. Even as he describes himself as the Good Shepherd, he contrasts himself with the hired hand and through this emphasizes the qualities of the Good Shepherd.

Those of us who live in cities or towns may not be able to fully appreciate this allegory. Our experience of sheep leads us to see them as dumb creatures that are good only for their wool and as food on our tables. However, if we go beyond this superficial understanding and attempt to understand instead the deeper meaning then we will be able to appreciate more fully what Jesus means.

The adjective ‘good’ used here can also be read as “model” or “true” and so Jesus is saying that he is the model of true shepherd. This is a reference to the image of God as the good shepherd in the prophet Ezekiel. There God is described as the shepherd who cares for the sheep, rescuing them from danger, feeding them, tending to the weak sheep, healing the wounds of those who are injured and going after those who are lost.

Jesus as the model or true shepherd does all this and more. He even willingly, and of his own accord, lays down his life for his sheep. He does this not to earn a reward, but as an expression of the love that he has for the sheep which is an expression of love for the Father. This is why he in control of even his own death. No one can take his life, because he gives it up freely and without reserve. However, his death is linked inextricably with his resurrection and ascension, and it is through all these three events that he completes his work as good and true shepherd.

In contrast, the hired hand is the bad shepherd or untrue shepherd. This one is concerned only about his own welfare and not the welfare of the sheep. When such a one takes charge, the sheep are scattered and neglected, and go astray.

The good shepherd on the other hand gathers the sheep and keeps them together. He is concerned not only with the sheep that belong to his fold and so is not exclusive. There are other sheep also, who though not of the fold will listen to the shepherd’s voice because they will recognize it as a voice of unconditional love. They will know that their salvation lies in listening to this voice.

Some may find being compared with sheep derogatory. However, if we understand the metaphor for what it is and capture its essence, we will find that this need not be so. The challenge to the sheep is to listen to the voice of the true shepherd and not the hired hand. This means that in a world in which we hear so many voices, to discern the voice of the true shepherd is not easy. The voice of the shepherd calls first to unity. This unity is manifested in community living, in which each is concerned about the other much like the shepherd who is concerned about each and all. It is also manifested in imitating the true shepherd’s qualities of self-giving and self-sacrificing love. Such imitation of the shepherd will draw all sheep into one-fold, in which differences in individuals will not be points of contention, but will be celebrated instead. In the fold of the true shepherd there will be a unity even in diversity, because the mission of the true shepherd is an inclusive one.

The Gospel of today therefore calls each one of us to live out our lives according to the model of community envisioned here by Jesus. It is a model of mutual self-giving, of self-sacrifice and of living as a community. It is a model where the needs of the other take precedence over my own. It is a model in which differences are not frowned upon but celebrated. It is a model in which there is a profound unity even in diversity. It is a model grounded in the mutuality of love embodied in the relationship of Jesus and God.

Sunday, April 26, 2026 - Will you open your heart to listen to God's voice?

 

Sunday, April 26, 2026 - Good Shepherd Sunday - Is Jesus your shepherd? Do you listen to his voice?

To read the texts click on the texts: Acts 2:14,36:41; 1 Pt 2:20-25; Jn 10:1-10

It was Good Shepherd Sunday and a parish priest was speaking to the children in the Sunday catechism class. He told them that as the parish priest he was like a shepherd and the members of his congregation were the sheep. He then asked them: “What does the shepherd do for the sheep?” A little boy in the front row raised his hands and answered, “He fleeces them.”

It is true that quite a few ‘shepherds’ go about fleecing, milking and feeding on the sheep. But when the Bible speaks of the leaders of God’s people as shepherds, it envisions leaders who feed, protect and feel with the people as a good shepherd does for his flock. It must be noted here that in the text from John, Jesus is not only the Good Shepherd but also the Sheep Gate. This means that he not only leads the way to abundant life, life in all its fullness, which he does as the Good Shepherd, but is the way to that life himself as the Sheep Gate.

There are some, however, who focus only on one of the images and so critique the analogy of the shepherd and sheep. Sheep may be loveable creatures, but they seem to lack independent spirit. The only thing they seem to do is relentlessly seek grass. They are relatively defenseless against wolves and other wild animals. They easily lose their way. It is precisely because they are dumb and defenseless that they need a shepherd. So some do not like to be termed as sheep and do not feel the need for a shepherd. They believe that they can do perfectly well on their own.

The truth is that we like to think that we are in control, that no one can hurt us if we do not let them, and that no problem is so intractable that we cannot solve it. But what keeps happening in our world should shake us out of that conviction. We are not secure even in our own little worlds. We remain vulnerable as much to our own sinfulness and the evils of contemporary life as to far-off terrorists and revolutionaries. Many of us are searching for love and compassion. Yet the world is torn apart by hatred, rage and violence. In spite of its thin veneer of order and discipline, our condition remains as messy and chaotic as that of a flock of sheep without a shepherd. We are as vulnerable now as we will ever be.

On the other hand, there is something lovely about the imagery of sheep that trust without fail and a shepherd who cares without ceasing. There is a bond which words can’t fully express. In today’s text, despite any fear about surrendering too much of our independence to shepherd-like divinities, we can appreciate some of the profound meanings of Jesus as gate to the sheepfold and a good shepherd. Can this rural, pastoral imagery speak to us in our urban, cosmopolitan, and industrial setting? Because of our modern lifestyle we may long precisely for the kind of relationship between God and us that such imagery reveals.

The first reading of today from the Acts of the Apostles makes precisely this appeal through the words of Peter to those on the other side of the gate., “the whole House of Israel:. The one who was crucified has been made Lord and Christ and Shepherd. The way to come to the right side is through repentance which necessarily implies giving up the old vision and seeing with new eyes. It will mean giving up the myth of self-sufficiency and realizing that we need to be helped. It will mean acknowledging that we cannot travel long distances on our own, but need a higher power to guide and nourish us. The invitation is a universal invitation and no one will be excluded.

The invitation is repeated by Peter in the second reading of today in which he exhorts us to live our lives in imitation of the Good Shepherd who remains the only example that we will ever need.

His life was a life committed to his Father even in the midst of his suffering even to the point of death on a cross. Since Christ has proved to be the Good Shepherd who cares for us and will continue to lead our way, we can dare to face life with confidence and courage even in the midst of our own trials, tribulations and crosses.

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - Mark wrote a Gospel to narrate his experience of Jesus. What will you do to narrate your experience of Jesus?

 

Saturday, April 25, 2026 - St. Mark, Evangelist - Mark wrote a Gospel to communicate his experience of Jesus. What will you do to communicate your experience?

To read the texts click on the texts: 1 Pet 5:5-14; Mk 16:15-20

The second Gospel was written by St. Mark, who, in the New Testament, is sometimes identified with John Mark. Both he and his mother, Mary, were highly esteemed in the early Church, and his mother's house in Jerusalem served as a meeting place for Christians there.

St. Mark was associated with St. Paul and St. Barnabas (who was Mark's cousin) on their missionary journey through the island of Cyprus. Later he accompanied St. Barnabas alone. We know also that he was in Rome with St. Peter and St. Paul. Tradition ascribes to him the founding of the Church in Alexandria.

St. Mark wrote the second Gospel, probably in Rome sometime before the year 65 C.E..; and possibly for Gentile converts to Christianity. Tradition has it that Mark was the interpreter of Peter. This seems to be confirmed by the position which St. Peter has in the Gospel of Mark.

The Gospel reading for the feast is from Mk16:15-20. Most scholars today regard Mk 16:9-20 as an addition to the original ending of Mark at 16:8. A number of reasons are put forward for this view. The first is that Mary Magdalene is introduced in 16:9 as if she is being mentioned for the first time.  However, Mark has mentioned her before (15:47; 16:1). Second, there is no mention of a Galilean apparition in these verses, though one is explicitly promised in 16:7. Third, these verses are a combination, in summary form, of the post resurrection appearances of Jesus in the other Synoptic Gospels, in John, and in the Acts of the Apostles.

The text of today begins with the command of the Risen Lord to the disciples to proclaim the Good News to all nations. The disciples are challenged to go beyond their fear and with confidence trusting in the power of the Lord. The Lord will accompany them everywhere and their witness will draw all peoples to the Lord.

The enemy of faith is fear. However imperfect our faith, and however many times we remain silent when we should testify to the gospel, we can always return to the Lord. None of us can get so far away from Jesus that we cannot be touched by God’s healing presence. Jesus continues to use each of us even in our weakness to be his messengers of the good news that, in him, God loves everyone.

Let the feast of St. Mark be for each one of us an opportunity to live out our faith and inspire others and draw them to the Lord.

Friday, April 24, 2026 - Even as God takes the initiative, he leaves humans free to respond to his act of love. Humans always have a choice when it comes to the gifts that God gives.

 

Friday, April 24, 2026 - When someone places a new idea in front of you, is your first reaction one of rejection?

To read the texts click on the texts: Acts 9:1-20; Jn 6:52-59

The first verse of today’s text, which contains the question that the “Jews” ask, is occasioned by the statement that Jesus makes in the previous verse. The agitation in their hearts is because Jesus has identified himself with the bread of life. Jesus replaces the manna that their ancestors ate.

Jesus addresses this protest in the verses that follow. The bread that is to be eaten is the flesh and blood of the Son of Man. Refusal to do this means death or non-life. Eating the flesh and drinking the blood results in life and resurrection on the last day. By not mentioning bread and wine and thus, not equating them with the flesh and blood of Jesus, John focuses on the corporeal and not only on the sacramental representations. He also wants to stress that Jesus gives his whole life to all who are willing to receive him. The flesh that Jesus gives is life giving and so is his blood. It is real food and drink that will end all hunger and thirst.

Eating of the flesh and blood of Jesus leads to a mutual indwelling. The one who eats and drinks abides in Jesus and Jesus abides in that person. This relationship is an extension of the relationship between Jesus and the Father. Just as Jesus lives the Father’s life, so all who eat and drink will live Jesus’ life. The penultimate verse concludes the Bread of Life Discourse and repeats a theme that has been prevalent throughout. The bread which Jesus gives has indeed come from heaven and will give life forever and give it permanently, unlike the manna which could offer only temporary life.

The reference to the synagogue in Capernaum is to highlight the difference between Jesus’ teaching and that of the Jewish teachers and the difference between the manna eaten by their forefathers and the Bread of Life that Jesus gives.

It is not always easy to accept ideas which challenge our old way of thinking. Often our first reaction is rejection of that idea. We refuse to think outside the box, and are content with stereotypes with which we are comfortable. We are comfortable with them because they do not threaten us or call on us to change. We prefer that our boats not be rocked. However, Jesus continues to rock the boat and challenge our ways of thinking and being. He continues to wake us from our stupor and keeps inviting us to see more and be more.