Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter two, verses fourteen(a) & thirty-six thru forty-one;
Psalm Twenty-three, verses one, two, & three(a); three(b) & four; & five & six;
The First Letter of Peter, chapter two, verses twenty(b) thru twenty-five;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses one thru ten.
Commentary: Video Easter Gospel reflection by Jeff Cavins: Encountering the Word.
Easter Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, today’s Gospel presents one of the most enduring and endearing images of Jesus. He is the Good Shepherd who guides and lays down his life for his sheep. How wonderful and strange that Christianity is not a set of ideas. It’s not a philosophy or an ideology. It’s a relationship with someone who has a voice. The first disciples were privileged to hear the voice of the historical Jesus. They heard its very particular tone and texture.Otherwise, 7 May would be the festival of Saint John of Beverley, Bishop, O.S.B. (died 721): Saint-link & Wikipedia-link.
But we hear his voice too in our own way, especially when we hear the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass. Mind you, we don’t just read the Bible; we hear the Bible. We also hear the voice of Jesus when the bishops and the Popes speak. We can also hear the voice of Jesus in the conscience, which Newman called “the aboriginal vicar of Christ in the soul.” We can hear the voice of Jesus in good spiritual friends as well, in those people who comfort us and challenge us and keep calling us to higher ideals and encourage us when we fall.
We listen to the voice of Jesus because he is leading us to a renewed and transformed life with God.
'Twould also be the festival of Saint Rose Venerini, Religious M.P.V. (1656-1728), foundress of the Venerini Sisters, formally the Religious Teachers Venerini: Saint-link ūna, Saint-link duae, & Wikipedia-link; Wikipedia-link M.P.V.
Commentary: Wayback Machine.
Mass Journal: Week 19
Reflection by Matthew Kelly, founder of the Dynamic Catholic Institute:
How I wish that when people discovered you or I are Catholic, they could immediately conclude that we are honest, hardworking, generous, loving, joyful, compassionate, temperate, humble, disciplined, prayerful, & generally in love with life. You wouldn't need too many people like this to develop a positive reputation for Catholicism in a local community. I pray that God raises them up. I pray that God will transform you & me into Catholics of that caliber. All it will take to radically alter the way Catholics are perceived in society today is for you & me to become… honest, hardworking, generous, loving, joyful, compassionate, temperate, humble, disciplined, prayerful, & generally in love with life.
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