Surrexit Christus Alleluia!
 

Fourth Sunday of Easter : Reading cycle Year B
† 14th May 2000
Cycle of Prayer: World Day of Prayer for Vocations

First Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 4 : 8 - 12
Brought before the ruling Sanhedrin, to explain their actions involving the healing of a cripple, the apostle Peter “filled with the Holy Spirit”replies to his interrogators, “it was by the name of Jesus... you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here, in your presence, today.” In these few words, Peter announces the fundamental faith of the church, that Jesus who died, lives again, and brings healing and forgiveness to those who believe. Jesus Christ the cornerstone, the foundation of our lives.

Second Reading from First Letter of John 3 : 1 - 2
We may not know what the future holds for us. But the apostle John reminds us that we are certain of one thing, that we are God’s children, and the Father lavishes love upon us. The ‘children of God’ do not belong to the world, which fails to recognise Jesus. Christ’s disciples are to lead lives of holiness, and at the end of time God will recognise them as belonging, and they shall see God as God really is.

Gospel according to John 10 : 11 - 18
The image of the good shepherd is in contrast to the mercenary nature of the hireling, who only goes so far with the job, who does just enough, to get by, and get paid. The word, ‘good’ here means ‘noble’, ‘ideal,’ not just good at doing the job. Jesus is the ‘good shepherd’ in the sense that he lays down his life for the sheep, not like the hireling who might be expected to abandon the flock in time of danger, and run for ‘his life!’ Much as a faithful dog, or even sometimes a herd of cows will recognise the call of the master, so the evangelist would have us, listen for the voice of our Master, and follow at his bidding. There is a double message in this gospel passage. The vocation of shepherd as ‘noble,’ and the idea that the disciple should recognise the voice of the Lord and be ready to respond to the call of the Master. On both counts this gospel passage suits theme of Christian ‘vocation’ today. How do you intend to respond?