"He gives his life for the sheep"

where Jesus describes himself as the "Good Shepherd." Unlike a hired hand who flees from danger,

the Good Shepherd willingly sacrifices his life to protect and save his flock.

The Good Shepherd protects his sheep from the "wolf,"

which represents dangers or, in a spiritual sense, attackers or evil.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 11:1-18*

News came to the apostles

And the brothers and sisters in Judea that even foreigners had received the Word of God.

So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, these Jewish believers began to argue with him,

"You went to the home of uncircumcised people and ate with them!"

 

So Peter began to give them the facts as they had happened, "I was at prayer in the city of Joppa when,

in a trance, I saw a vision. Something like a large sheet came down from the sky and drew near to me,

landing on the ground by its four corners. As I stared at it, I saw four-legged creatures of the earth,

wild beasts and reptiles, and birds of the sky. Then I heard a voice saying to me: 'Get up Peter,

kill and eat!' I replied, 'Certainly not, Lord! No common or unclean creature has ever entered my mouth.

 

A second time the voice from the heavens spoke, 'What God has made clean, you must not call unclean.

This happened three times, and then it was all drawn up into the sky. At that moment three men,

who had been sent to me from Caesarea, arrived at the house where we were staying.

The Spirit instructed me to go with them without hesitation; (...) When they heard this they set their minds

at rest and praised God saying, "Then God has granted life giving repentance to the pagan nations as well."

 

Ps 42:2-3; 43:3-4

Athirst is my soul for the living God.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 10:11-18

I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.

Not so the hired hand, or any other person who is not the shepherd,

and to whom the sheep do not belong.

They abandon the sheep as soon as they see the wolf coming;

then the wolf snatches and scatters the sheep.

This is because the hired hand works for pay and cares nothing for the sheep.

 

I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

as the Father knows me and I know the Father.

Because of this, I give my life for my sheep. I have other sheep which are not of this fold.

These I have to lead as well, and they shall listen to my voice.

Then there will be one flock, since there is one shepherd. 

The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down freely. It is mine to lay down and to take up again:

this mission I received from my Father."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

He gives his life for the sheep.

Jesus reveals himself as the Good Shepherd, stating, "The Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep."

This declaration emphasizes his selfless love and ultimate sacrifice for humanity.

Jesus is fully committed to protecting and guiding his flock, unlike a hired hand who flees from danger.

He knows his sheep intimately, and they recognize his voice,

symbolizing the profound relationship between Christ and his followers. Moreover,

Jesus highlights the inclusivity of his mission, proclaiming his desire to unite

everyone into one flock under his care.

 

This revelation urges us to trust Jesus as our loving, faithful Shepherd who seeks our well-being.

It challenges us to listen attentively to His voice amidst life's distractions,

allowing Him to guide us on the path of righteousness.

This inspires us to emulate the Good Shepherd by caring for others with selfless love,

especially the marginalized and vulnerable, and by striving for unity

and reconciliation within our communities and beyond.