Saint Rita Catholic Church and School in Webster, NY - An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings

“My Sheep Hear My Voice; I Know Them, And They Follow Me”

This Sunday is known as Good Shepherd Sunday. Our readings today are tied together in a shepherding theme. This is also a time to pray for vocations and an increase in the number of shepherds in our church. We hear about a Church of united followers of Christ, spreading in leaps and bounds to the ends of the earth. This is a Church in right relationship with God, following their shepherd wherever He leads them. The shepherd will lead them to the Father and their heavenly grace.

In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 13:14, 43-52), we begin to hear about the many missionary journeys of St. Paul, St. Barnabas, and their companions. Paul’s first journey was to Antioch and other cities in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). Paul’s success, especially with the Gentiles, bred jealousy in the Jewish leaders and they expelled him from the city of Antioch. Undaunted and “filled with joy and the Holy Spirit”, they continued on to many other cities.

Our second reading (Revelation 7:9, 14-17) is yet another apocalyptic vision of John. This writing offers comfort and reassurance to those of John’s time who were experiencing many persecutions. People of every nation on earth would one day stand before the throne (God) and the Lamb (Jesus) in white robes, having “survived the time of great distress”, and God will “wipe away every tear from their eyes”.

In our Gospel reading (John 10:27-30), Jesus was speaking about His relationship with His followers and how, like the good shepherd, His sheep know His voice and follow Him. This is the “right relationship” Jesus has with us and we with Him as He leads us to eternal life.

Today, we are reminded to think of Jesus as our Good Shepherd and of the intimate, loving, and caring relationship Jesus has with us. It was this relationship that certainly sustained the apostles and disciples on their missionary journeys throughout the territories of Israel, Turkey, Syria, and Greece.

Will it not sustain us as well on our missionary journeys throughout the territories of our lives?

bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/051125.cfm