Fourth Week of Easter
23rd April 2024 (Tuesday)
Psalter: Week 4
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 11:19-26
In those days: Those who were scattered because of the persecution that arose over Stephen travelled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who on coming to Antioch spoke to the Hellenists also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. The report of this came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch. When he came and saw the grace of God, he was glad, and he exhorted them all to remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose, for he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord. So Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul, and when he had found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a great many people. And in Antioch the disciples were first called Christians.
Psalm 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7 (Psalm 117:1a)
R/. O praise the Lord, all you nations
Gospel Acclamation
V/. Alleluia
R/. Alleluia
V/. My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord, and I know them, and they follow me.
R/. Alleluia.
Gospel : John 10:22-30
At that time the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name bear witness about me, but you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”.
Daily Gospel Reflection
Tuesday – Fourth Week of Easter
Guidelines: Mere intelligence and knowledge are no guarantees for one’s faith and loyalty. What matters is personal experience and the openness to trust and adhere
1. The Jews are annoyed with Jesus and ask him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly”. Jesus responds, “I told you but you do not believe”. There was no cloud of suspense or mystery. His own works of wonders and healings in his Father’s name are the greatest testimony of his identity. Thus, both his words and deeds were more than enough to bear witness to him.
2. Yet why do they not believe? Jesus gives the reason as well. It is because they are not among his sheep. If they were to be his sheep, they would hear his voice, and follow him. For his sheep hear his voice and they follow him. They shall not be snatched out of his hand and will never perish.
3. The very fact that they do not hear his voice and do not follow him but are easily snatched by evil and follow his dictates is a clear sign that they are not his sheep.
4. But on the contrary, we see how the apostles were charged with the power of the Spirit and the fire of preaching. The hand of the Lord was with them. They were good men, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith, exemplified in Barnabas.
5. That is why they could touch and transform thousands. Many believed and turned to the Lord. There were no barriers like Jew or Gentile, male or female, free or slave. There was no suspense or doubt because the light of the Holy Spirit was enlightening them, guiding them, and confirming them in faith.
Practice: The chosen Jews, the official believers disbelieved. But the Gentiles, “the despised” in the sight of the Jews, the unbelievers believed. This is paradoxical! This shows that only docility to accept and follow matters and not the formal allegiance or long tradition
