HOMILY OF TUESDAY 4TH WEEK OF EASTER, YEAR B
HOMILY THEME: THE FATHER AND I ARE ONE
Acts 11:19-26, Psalm 86, John 10:22-30
INTRODUCTION
Good morning my dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today we celebrate Tuesday of the Forth Week of Easter Season.
FROM OUR FIRST READING
In this morning’s first reading, which follows on from yesterday’s first reading, Barnabas and Saul are now both leading members of the church in Antioch. In that reading, the church of Antioch is portrayed as doing something very generous. Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, they release Paul and Barnabas, two of their most important members, for mission work far beyond Antioch. The Spirit moved the church in Antioch to let go of two of its greatest assets so that the gospel could be preached in places where it had never been preached before. The church in Antioch was being prompted by the Spirit to empty itself, to become poorer, so that others might become spiritually rich.
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FROM OUR GOSPEL READING
In our gospel reading, the people complain to Jesus: “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus responds, “I told you and you do not believe.” Then He continues to use the image of a shepherd to refer to Himself: “The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall 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 my Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.
CONCLUSION
When we think of sheep, and when we think of ourselves as sheep, it can be pretty humbling, and perhaps we resist the idea of being sheep, even when it comes to Jesus as the Shepherd. But we are still free to choose. Why would I choose to be a sheep, even to Jesus? Because life has shown me that following myself as the shepherd has not worked. But if I want serenity of heart and peace of mind, I will follow Jesus as the Good Shepherd, even when it comes to carrying a cross. And I know that I am in Jesus’ hands. He will not abandon me or leave me behind: “No one can take them out of my hand.” The only way I can be out of Jesus’ hands is if I choose to leave Him. It is still my choice.
May God grant us the grace to be good sheep.
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