I give them the eternal life

4th Sunday of Easter – Year C

Collect

Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Acts 13:14, 42-52

We now turn to the Gentiles.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga
   and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
   followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
   and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered
   to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
   and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
   “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
   but since you reject it
   and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
   we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
   I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
   that you may be an instrument of salvation
   to the ends of the earth.”

The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
   and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
   and the word of the Lord continued to spread
   through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
   and the leading men of the city,
   stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
   and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
   and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

The word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

R. :

℟. (3c) We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  or:
℟. Alleluia.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
   serve the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful song.

℟. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  or:
℟. Alleluia.

Know that the LORD is God;
   he made us, his we are;
   his people, the flock he tends.

℟. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  or:
℟. Alleluia.

The LORD is good:
   his kindness endures forever,
   and his faithfulness to all generations.

℟. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  or:
℟. Alleluia.

Second Reading
Rev 7:9, 14b,-17

The Lamb will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water.

A reading from the Book of Revelation

I, John, had a vision of a great multitude,
   which no one could count,
   from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
   wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.

Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me,
   “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
   they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

   “For this reason they stand before God’s throne
      and worship him day and night in his temple.
   The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
   They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
      nor will the sun or any heat strike them.

For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
   will shepherd them
   and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
   and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

The word of the Lord.

Acclamation before the Gospel

Jn 10:14

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.

℟. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 10:27-30

I give my sheep eternal life.

✠ A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said:
   “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.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

My Sheep hear my voice.

These are the sheep that belong to the one Shepherd and listen to His voice. If I am a sheep or a lamb of this Shepherd named Jesus, I cannot belong to anyone else. According to Jesus there exists an enemy who attempts to steal, kill and destroy. He is a thief and a robber. He is not alone, there are many (Jn 10:8-10). 

The sheep belong to Jesus because He redeemed them by His Blood. They are sealed by the Holy Spirit. How do I know if I belong to Him? By listening to His VOICE!

Many ask: How can you hear God speaking to you?

God communicates through His creation, through the lives of His children, through the Scriptures, and through the teachings of the Church and of the Apostles. Most importantly, He has spoken to us and continues to speak to us through His Son Jesus. Easy, isn’t it? Reading and reflecting on the life and words of Jesus as Our Lady did. Remaining quiet, silent and attentive. Allow the Holy Spirit to enlighten you on what you are reading, to understand and apply it to your life. Allow your mind to be transformed and changed. Because there are many deceptive voices, you need to learn to recognise the voice of our Beloved Shepherd.

I know them and they follow Me

How are His sheep recognised? Because they listen to His voice! And follow Him! This is my insignia: my faithful obedience to Him. My gaze upon Him.

I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. 

What consoling words! We have already received eternal life, if we believe in Jesus, the Son of the Living God. Not because we deserve it: it is a gift from the One who loves us. How truly powerful are the words: “They will never perish.” How can I go through life sad or feeling hopeless when I hear words like these? “No one will snatch them out of my hand.” Nothing will be able to separate us from the love of God that was revealed in Christ Jesus Our Lord.

What my Father has given Me

The assurance Jesus had while saying these words came from the fact that He knew who had given Him these sheep. I know that I am loved. I know that I am precious. I know that I have eternal life because God does not deceive me. I am His, and He is mine. Thank you, Lord!

How can you not believe?

Stop and think for a while, how and in what are you investing your time and energy? Who are you listening to? Reflect on yourself and strive to discover why you don’t have time to sit in silence and seek Him who loves you.

Discover who your enemies are, the thieves who try to rob, kill, and destroy you.

Do you think it is a coincidence that many Christians are leaving the faith?

Have courage.
No one will snatch them from the Father’s Hand.

Prayer

Beloved Shepherd, thank you for giving your life for us so that no one can steal us from Your loving embrace. Amen.

 

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