GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY : Tuesday - May 10, 2022

  

Tuesday - May 10, 2022

"May the mother of Jesus and our mother, always smile on your spirit, obtaining for it, from her most holy son, every heavenly blessing."

 - Saint Padre Pio

May 10, 2022

 

TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER

Lectionary: 280

 

Reading I     

                                                                                    Acts 11:19-26

 

Those who had been scattered by the persecution

that arose because of Stephen

went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch,

preaching the word to no one but Jews.

There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however,

who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well,

proclaiming the Lord Jesus.

The hand of the Lord was with them

and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.

The news about them reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem,

and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.

When he arrived and saw the grace of God,

he rejoiced and encouraged them all

to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart,

for he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith.

And a large number of people was added to the Lord.

Then he 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 large number of people,

and it was in Antioch that the disciples

were first called Christians.

 

Responsorial Psalm                                  87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

 

R.        (117:1a)  All you nations, praise the Lord.

 

His foundation upon the holy mountains

            the LORD loves:

The gates of Zion,

            more than any dwelling of Jacob.

Glorious things are said of you,

            O city of God!

R.        All you nations, praise the Lord.

 

I tell of Egypt and Babylon

            among those who know the LORD;

Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:

            “This man was born there.”

And of Zion they shall say:

            “One and all were born in her;

And he who has established her

            is the Most High LORD.”

R.        All you nations, praise the Lord.

 

They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:

            “This man was born there.”

And all shall sing, in their festive dance:

            “My home is within you.”

R.        All you nations, praise the Lord.

 

Alleluia                                              Phil 2:8          Jn 10:27

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;

I know them, and they follow me.

R. Alleluia

 

Gospel                                                           Jn 10:22-30

 

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem.

It was winter.

And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.

So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,

“How long are you going to 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 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 the Father’s hand.

The Father and I are one.”

 

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Christ the Good Shepherd of Us All

“But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.  The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. ”  John 10:2-4

 

Four things happen in this story:

 

First, the gatekeeper opens the gate for the shepherd.

Second, the shepherd calls his own sheep by name.

Third, the sheep hear his voice.

Fourth, the shepherd leads the sheep through the gate.

 

Who is the “gatekeeper?”  Saint Augustine says that one answer to this is that the gatekeeper is the Holy Spirit.  The role of the Holy Spirit is to open our minds to the truth, to a deeper understanding of Scripture, and therefore, to a deeper understanding of Christ Himself.  Therefore, the Holy Spirit will open your mind and your heart to know and love Christ as your shepherd, if you let Him.

 

Once this happens, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will speak your name, personally.  Not audibly, but through the gift of faith.  You are not only one of many sheep; rather, you are His dear one whom He knows and loves on an intimate and personal level.  Therefore, this passage calls us to an intimate and personal relationship with Christ the Good Shepherd.

 

Knowing we are personally and intimately loved by Christ, that we are called by name, invites and encourages us to listen.  Do you listen?  And if you listen, do you hear?  “Hearing” Christ speak to us in this personal and intimate way should motivate us to action.

 

What action?  To be led.  Normally a shepherd walks behind the sheep and they run on ahead.  But in this story, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, Who calls you by name, leads you “through the gate.”  Jesus Himself is the Gate.  We are called to become one with Him and, through Him, to enter into the bosom of the Father in Heaven.  Through Him we enter into new life itself, life of union with Him Who is our Shepherd.

 

Reflect, today, upon this fourfold journey to which you are called.  Pray to the Holy Spirit that your mind and heart will be opened to know and love Christ.  Then prayerfully listen for Christ to speak to you.  Hear Him, respond to Him and allow Him to draw you into His open heart of perfect love.

 

Today's Prayer

 

Holy Spirit, please open my ears to the Voice of the Good Shepherd and my mind to all that He speaks.  My precious Lord Jesus, You are my Shepherd, I choose, this day, to follow Your voice when You speak, and to do so with complete trust and abandon.  I love You, my Lord, and I thank you for loving me with such tender and intimate care.  Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I trust in You.

 

 

 

God Bless You.....

The Rosary Family

The mother of Jesus promised St. Dominic that, “one day through the rosary & the scapular I shall save the world!”