Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings

“The Sheep Follow Him Because They Recognize His Voice”

Now that we are almost half way through our Easter season, our readings are beginning to prepare us for the mystery of Pentecost. It is the great enlightening that gave the apostles and early disciples the wisdom, grace, and courage to proclaim the risen Christ as the primacy of our salvation. They did this despite all manner of suffering and persecutions, following Jesus as the model.

Our first reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:14, 36-41)is from St. Peter’s first homily at Pentecost. In it, he stressed the forgiveness that is offered to everyone through the sacraments, even “those far off” Gentiles, even those who crucified Jesus. “Repent and be baptized . . for the forgiveness of your sins”. Peter’s words had great effect, as about three thousand persons were baptized that day.

Our Epistle reading (1 Peter 2:20-25)offers Christ as the model for patient suffering as “a grace before God”. Peter’s words echoed those of the Prophet Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Is 53:4-8), “When He was insulted, He returned no insult; when He suffered, He did not threaten . . . He bore the punishment that makes us whole….”

In our Gospel reading (John 10-1-10)we hear the beginning of Jesus’ Good Shepherd Discourse. Jesus spoke to the Pharisees using a metaphor of Himself as the good shepherd and the gate. “I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture.” In this figure of speech, Jesus is the true shepherd, who is the one who will lead us to eternal life. We are His sheep and we know His voice; we follow Him.

The lament of the Jews on hearing the words of Peter on the day of Pentecost was, “What are we to do, my brothers?” This may be our lament, too, as we recall the times we turned away from Jesus. The words of Peter should be as comforting to us. We should honor our baptism, repent, and be reconciled; believing that Jesus is the “guardian of our souls” and will forgive us and lead us “through the gate” to eternal life.

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