Scripture of the Week
Mass Readings—Fourth Sunday of Easter
The Acts of the Apostles, chapter thirteen, verses fourteen & forty-three thru fifty-two;
Psalm One Hundred (R/. three[c]; or, "Alleluia"), verses one & two, three, & five;
The Book of Revelation, chapter seven, verses nine & fourteen(b) thru seventeen;
The Gospel according to John, chapter ten, verses twenty-seven thru thirty.
Commentary: Sunday Readings.
Gospel reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire):
Friends, our Gospel reading today is extremely short, but it is packed with theological and spiritual significance. We hear first of a voice: “My sheep hear my voice.” 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, its very particular tonality and texture.Video reflection by Bishop Robert Barron (Word on Fire): Sunday Sermon.
But we hear his voice too, in our own way, when we hear the Scriptures proclaimed at Mass. Mind you, we don’t just read the Bible; we hear the Bible. We hear the voice of Jesus too when the bishops and the popes speak. We can also hear the voice of Jesus in our 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 encouraging us when we fall. We listen to Jesus because he is leading us to a renewed and transformed life on high with God.
Video reflection by Father Greg Friedman, O.F.M. (U.S.C. of Catholic Bishops): Paschal Reflection.
Video reflection by Doctor Tim Gray (Augustine Institute/Formed.org): Paschal Reflection.
Audio reflection by Scott Hahn, Ph.D. (St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology): Breaking the Bread.
Papal Quote o' the Day
"We must not be afraid of finding ourselves one day in a minority if we are faithful. We must not be embarrassed by unpopularity if we are consistent. We must not care about being defeated if we are witnesses to truth & to the freedom of the children of God."Saint Quote o' the Day
—Pope Saint Paul VI (1920-2005, r. 1978-2005; feast: 29 May)
"The good Lord does not do things by halves; He always gives what we need. Let us then carry on bravely."Mother Teresa Quote o' the Day
—Saint Zélie Martin (1831-1877, feast: 12 July)
"Loving trust is only the fruit of total surrender. You cannot have trust unless you are one with the person. Total surrender & loving trust are twins."Archbishop Sheen Quote o' the Day
—Saint Teresa of Calcutta, M.C. (1910-1997, feast: 5 September)
"A man wihout God is not like a cake without raisins; he is like a cake without flour & milk; he lacks the essential ingredients."
—Venerable Fulton Sheen (1895-1979)
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