Texts taken from the “On Your Word” Missalette May-June 2022

4th Sunday of Easter (C)
4th week, psalter

FIRST READING

From the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 13:14, 43-52)
In those days, Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga and arrived at Antioch in Pisidia. On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats. Many Jews and devout converts to Judaism followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke with them and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God. On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. When they saw the crowds, the Jews were filled with jealousy and, with insulting words, contradicted what Paul was saying. Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly: «It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, behold: we are turning to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: “I have made you a light to the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth”». When they heard this, the Gentiles rejoiced and glorified the word of the Lord, and all who were destined for eternal life came to believe. The word of the Lord continued to spread throughout the whole region. But the Jews incited the devout women of prominence and the leading men of the city, stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them from their territory. So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them and went to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit. The word of God.

Commentary on the first reading

Paul and Barnabas announce the Gospel first to the Jews in the synagogue; faced with their rejection, they turn decisively to the Gentiles, who embrace without fear the person of Jesus, who fulfills their desire for life, eternity, and holiness. The Jews’ opposition to the good news, on the other hand, arises from motives of convenience, jealousy, and the need to keep their distance from the impure. Envy and jealousy are never good advisers: they can poison even the noblest intentions and the highest practice of virtue. Yet the apostles realize that God is capable of using even the Jews’ hostile behavior to offer his salvation also to those who might seem excluded from it: the Gentiles. We should be attentive, especially within the Church, so that the poison of envy does not ruin even the most beautiful and holiest projects. In such a case, a good measure of humility and openness toward others can help us see things in their true light: only in this way can we be builders of community and make the Church a home where everyone can feel welcomed.

SECOND READING

From the Book of Revelation of Saint John the Apostle (Rev 7:9, 14b-17)
I, John, saw: behold, a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes, and they held palm branches in their hands. Then one of the elders said: «These are the ones who have come through the great tribulation and have washed their robes, making them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they stand before God’s throne and serve him day and night in his temple; and the One who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat, because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd and will guide them to springs of the waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes». The word of God. 

Commentary on the second reading

The vision of Revelation presents us with the final outcome of God’s plan for all humanity. The «great multitude» bears witness to the universality of the salvation that the Father’s love offers in Christ the Lamb to all people, and that everyone is called by God to enjoy perfect communion with him. The cosmos joins this liturgy of praise and worship before the sacrificed Lamb. Those who have passed through the great tribulation and can now stand before Jesus Christ, the victorious lamb with the palm of fidelity, are not superheroes, but those who have washed their robes, making them white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore, we must never feel excluded, nor allow ourselves to be frightened by our infidelities or sins: God wants us to take part in this great eternal celebration and wants to give us the white garment of his grace. Being faithful to Christ, being his friends and close collaborators: this is what makes us worthy to remain with him and follow him.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to John (Jn 10:27-30)
At that time, Jesus said: «My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one». The word of the Lord.

Commentary on the Gospel of the day

This Sunday’s Gospel is very well known, and we run the risk of not allowing Jesus’ words to question us or of not seriously reflecting on what he wants to tell us about our lives today. Indeed, the temptation to say, «I already know it; I know what it is about and what the Lord wants to tell me» closes our hearts. The shepherd loves the sheep, knows them, and cares for them. In other words, the shepherd is at the service of the sheep, not the other way around; this is why the sheep are able to hear his voice and recognize it among many others. This happens because there is familiarity between the shepherd and his flock. If the sheep did not pay attention to the shepherd’s voice when he called them, how could they recognize it among the others? Since through Baptism we become part of this flock, we must make our lives an opportunity to learn to recognize his call ever more clearly: it leads us to the pastures of eternal life and joyful communion with the Father. Christ continues to call us at every moment of our lives: it is up to us to learn to listen to this strong and gentle call, so that in the events of each day we may become capable of walking behind him toward complete happiness.