MONDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER - 2021

DAILY HOLY MASS READINGS

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my own sheep and my own know me. JN 10:14

ACTS 11:1-18 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

We see from today's first reading how important it is to have a hierarchy, to have a voice of authority - if You had not given the Church the authority of Peter it would have fragmented and disappeared a long time ago. But You did, and she is alive and will live, grow, thrive, and be fruitful until You return.

When news of Peter's visits to the homes of Gentiles reached the apostles in Jerusalem, they were full of self-righteous indignation and criticized Peter for eating with them. They wanted to hold on tenaciously to the Jewish practice of excluding pagans believing that their inclusion would defile them. Peter then gave a detailed explanation of all that God had revealed to him in a vision and how he understood from it that God rejects no one, but gives freely to all who believe, the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

We like to make boxes and label them. We like to form exclusive little groups and refuse to allow anyone who has a different opinion admittance into them. But it is not so in the Church - she is the mustard seed that You planted and now birds of every kind make their home in her.

Peter explained how just as he had begun to speak the same Holy Spirit that they had received descended in power over the entire household and he understood this gift was for all who believe in You. Who was he to stand in God's way? The Apostles and the rest of the believers accepted Peter's explanation and rejoiced, glorifying God for the wonderful new work that had begun. God desires to grant supernatural life to all who repent and believe in the Gospel.  

PSALM 41:2-3,42:3-4 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

I believe that this pandemic will create in us a yearning, a hunger, and thirst for You like never before. We have been indifferent far too long to God's greatest gift, the Holy Eucharist. You will not hesitate to risk the 99 for the sake of the one that is lost.

This is the prayer of the Church and all people of goodwill that the sheep of Your flock will realize that without You we will perish. In this time of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty we pray that the Holy Spirit will stir in our hearts a deep longing, hunger, and thirst for the Bread of Life and the water of eternal life. 

When our stony hearts are softened and we turn to You to provide us the food and drink we need, the doors of our churches will be flung wide open and multitudes will climb up Mt. Zion, the City of the Lord, and there our deepest needs You will satisfy with Yourself and our joy will be complete.

JOHN 10:1-10 ©

My Soul's Beloved,

There is but one sheepfold and one gate - no one can enter the Kingdom of God except through You. It must be so for the Father gave You up to the cruelest suffering and death thus paying the ransom for our sins. You paid a debt we owed but were unable to pay and hence were damned to eternal death. 

This is the unfathomable mystery of the love of God for us that while we were yet sinners God proves His love for us by sending You to die for us. You are the Shepherd of the flock for whom You laid down Your life and You are the Gate through which we enter the Kingdom of God and enjoy eternal life.

All the baptized know Your voice - in the cacophony of sounds in the world that lures us to our ruin, You call us constantly by name - we hear You and follow You. There are many charlatans in the world who profess to speak for You but they are liars because they choose and reject what suits them and thus deny the fullness of revealed truth embodied in You, Your words, and Your works. Those who are truly Your own will not stray from You.

Even as the early Church was being formed there were many teething difficulties but despite them, she enjoyed 1,500 years of unity until well-meaning and not so well-meaning leaders lacking in humility led many away from the fullness of grace and truth.  

May every believer come to the knowledge of this truth - You are the Shepherd and the Gate through which all who desire life enter. 

Anyone who enters through me will be safe:
he will go freely in and out
and be sure of finding pasture.
The thief comes
only to steal and kill and destroy.
I have come
so that they may have life and have it to the full.