Monday 4th
May 2020. Read Acts Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42 and John 10:1-10)_
“The
thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life,
and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)
What makes Jesus the Good Shepherd? Jesus gives us two answers
today: One, sacrifice for the sheep – Jesus says: “The good shepherd lays down
his life for the sheep” but the hireling leaves the sheep and flees when danger
approaches, the hireling cares only about himself, not the sheep. Two,
knowledge of the sheep – Jesus says: “I am the good shepherd; I know my own and
my own know me.”
In truth, the call to leadership must never be considered as a
call to personal glory or an opportunity to enrich oneself. It is always a call
to service, a call to selflessness, a call to sacrifice and getting to know
those that one leads. Leading others (fellow human beings) is indeed the most
difficult assignment on earth. Without cultivating the habit of personal
prayer, no one can ever succeed at it.
This is the lesson we learn in today’s first reading. In his
prayer, Peter was given a vision wherein he was told not to call anything unclean
which God has made clean. He would later understand the meaning of this vision
when some men came from Caesarea to fetch him. In the end, a Roman official of
high standing, Cornelius along with his entire family was baptised and received
the Holy Spirit. This paved the way for the spread of the faith to Rome.
From the vision of Peter, we learn to avoid judging people
simply based on where they come from. Whereas the bad shepherd, the thief
thrives by creating division and sowing seeds of hatred and ethnic rivalry
among the sheep, the good shepherd unites all, mends conflicts and teaches love
above anything else.
St. Paul would later add in Galatians 3:27-29 “As many of you as
were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no
longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male
and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to
Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.”
Let us pray: Lord Jesus, the shepherd of my soul, give me a heart
that welcomes rather than discriminates others. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith.
It is well with you. God bless you. (Monday of the 4th Week of
Easter. Bible Study: Acts 11:1-18, Psalm 42 and John 10:1-10).
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