First Reading: Acts 2:14A, 36-41

Reflection:

Can you imagine 3,000 people being baptized in one day at the same place? The scene must have been spectacular! This Sunday’s first reading picks up where last Sunday’s first reading left off, continuing to recount Peter’s speech after receiving the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. His audience consisted of Israelites. Peter proclaimed to them that Jesus is the Lord and the Messiah (which means the same thing as the title “Christ”). Many of the people in this crowd were likely around Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified just 50 days earlier. In fact, some of them were likely part of the crowd shouting “Crucify him!” on Good Friday (notice how Peter said, “this Jesus whom you crucified”). Now, through the influence of the Holy Spirit working through Peter, many of the people listening put their faith in Jesus Christ. They then desired to take action. When asked what they must do, Peter responded, “Repent and be baptized.” The result of these actions would be “the forgiveness of your sins” and receiving “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” The Catholic Church continues to proclaim this message today. Conversion to Christ and salvation from sin requires faith, repentance, and baptism. In baptism, in particular, we receive the Holy Spirit and are cleansed of our sins, just as those 3,000 individuals did on the Day of Pentecost.

Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:20B-25

Reflection:

Here Peter reflects on Jesus’ Passion and connects our sufferings with those of Jesus. Moreover, he alludes to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, making clear that Jesus fulfilled that prophecy. Jesus was completely sinless, so he did nothing to deserve death. Yet, He willingly went to His death (a brutal crucifixion, for that matter). As Peter explains, “Christ…suffered for you!” Unlike Jesus, all of us have sinned (“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23) and, therefore, deserve death (“The wages of sin is death…” – Romans 6:23a). But Jesus died so that we may have life (“…but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” – Romans 6:23b). Jesus willingly suffered a brutal death, taking on the sins of the world, and having done nothing wrong to deserve it. He did this because He loves us and wants to “free [us] from sin” and allow us to “live for righteousness.” Jesus is the Good Shepherd because He has brought His lost sheep back into the fold. Let us then follow our Shepherd.

Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10

Reflection:

In this Sunday’s gospel reading, Jesus provides one of His many “I am” statements found in the gospel of John, explaining to the crowds that He is the gate to salvation. This coincides with another “I am” statement: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). In other words, using Jesus’ sheep analogy, there is no other way than through Jesus (“the gate”) to become part of the family of God—the Good Shepherd’s flock. Jesus is not only the gate, but He is also the shepherd, as was also indicated in the second reading. As His sheep, we are to follow His voice. This means trusting His lead in our lives, letting Him guide and direct us. We can be confident that Jesus will not lead us astray. He is the Good Shepherd and He is leading us unto salvation. This is why He came, died, and rose—in order to provide a gateway to Heaven. If we follow His lead, He will bring us “life…abundantly.” On our own, as a result of our sins, we are headed down a path towards death and eternal separation from God, but with Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we can have life with purpose not only here but for all eternity in Heaven. Let us thank God for this gift He offers us and seek to follow our Good Shepherd, Jesus, on the path He sets out for us to Heaven.

Application:

  • Have you ever suffered for “doing what is good,” as in the second reading? Jesus gives us the example of how to suffer well, even when the suffering is unjustly inflicted. The next time you are suffering for doing what is right, ask God for the grace to endure it with patience and love.
  • Reflect on the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd. How well have you done lately at following His voice? Take time this week to listen to Jesus in prayer and through reading Scripture, and then take action to follow Him wherever He is leading you.