So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
(John 10:7,9)
Jesus is the Good Shepherd who knows us and desires to have an intimate relationship with us. He is the only way to salvation and a relationship with God. We are His sheep who listens to His voice (through His Word and the Holy Spirit) and following His guidance in our lives. True fulfillment and abundant life can only be found in a relationship with Jesus. Let us cultivate an intimate relationship with Jesus, recognize and follow His guidance, appreciate the protection we have in Him, and seek the abundant life that He offers.
1 Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. 2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. 7 So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:1-10)
In the vast expanse of His love so deep, Jesus, the Good Shepherd, His flock does keep. He knows us each, by name, by heart, desires an intimate relationship, never to part. He is the way, the truth, the life, the only path amid worldly strife. To salvation and God, He is the door, His love and grace, forevermore. We are His sheep, in His tender care, listening to His voice, in silence, in prayer. Through His Word, and the Spirit's guide, in His footsteps, we abide. True fulfillment, abundant life, and more, are found in Jesus, whom we adore. In relationship with Him, we find our worth, a taste of heaven, here on earth. Let us cultivate this bond so dear, with Jesus, our Shepherd, ever near. Recognize His guidance, follow His lead, in His green pastures, He meets every need. Appreciate the protection, in His fold, His love, a treasure, more precious than gold. Seek the abundant life He offers to all, in His presence, stand tall. So let this be our heartfelt song, to Jesus, our Good Shepherd, we belong. In His love, His care, His light, we find our joy, our strength, our might.
Dear Lord Jesus, You are the Good Shepherd who knows us intimately. You desire to have a deep, personal relationship with us. We are grateful for Your love that reaches out to us, acknowledging our individuality and valuing our uniqueness. You are the only way to salvation and a relationship with God. We acknowledge that there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. We confess our need for You and humbly accept the salvation You offer. We are Your sheep, and we strive to listen to Your voice. Through Your Word and the Holy Spirit, You guide us in our daily lives. Help us to discern Your voice amidst the noise of the world and to follow Your guidance faithfully. In You, we find true fulfillment and abundant life. You came that we may have life, and have it to the full. Help us to seek satisfaction not in the fleeting pleasures of the world, but in the eternal joy that comes from a relationship with You. We commit to cultivating an intimate relationship with You, to spending time in Your presence, and to seeking You with all our hearts. We pray for the grace to recognize and follow Your guidance in our lives. We appreciate the protection we have in You. As our Good Shepherd, You watch over us, protect us from harm, and provide for our needs. Help us to rest in Your protection and provision, trusting that You will take care of us. Finally, we seek the abundant life that You offer. We pray that we may experience the fullness of life in You – a life marked by Your love, joy, peace, and hope. In Your precious name, we pray. Amen.
God does not show favoritism but accepts those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right. The Gospel is for everyone, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. This encourages us to embrace diversity and treat everyone with respect and equality. We should always be open to God’s guidance in our lives, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or comfort zones and to remain open to new insights and understandings, especially those that promote love and unity. Let us trust in God’s plan and timing, even when we don’t fully understand it and be attentive to the Spirit’s leading in our lives and in our communities.
1 The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem the circumcised believers confronted him, 3 saying, “You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them.” 4 Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying, 5 “I was at prayer in the city of Joppa when in a trance I had a vision, something resembling a large sheet coming down, lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me. 6 Looking intently into it, I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth, the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky. 7 I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.’ 8 But I said, ‘Certainly not, sir, because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.’ 9 But a second time a voice from heaven answered, ‘What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.’ 10 This happened three times, and then everything was drawn up again into the sky. 11 Just then three men appeared at the house where we were, who had been sent to me from Caesarea. 12 The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered the man’s house. 13 He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying, ‘Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter, 14 who will speak words to you by which you and all your household will be saved.’ 15 As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them as it had upon us at the beginning, 16 and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said, ‘John baptized with water but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ 17 If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to be able to hinder God?” 18 When they heard this, they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying, “God has then granted life- giving repentance to the Gentiles too.” (Acts 11:1-18)
In the vast expanse of His creation grand, God shows no favoritism across the land. From every nation, those who fear His might, are accepted in His loving, holy sight. The Gospel's call is universal, clear, for everyone, far and near. Regardless of culture, race, or creed, to everyone, it sows God's seed. Embrace diversity, let love increase, treat all with respect, let conflicts cease. Equality is the song we sing, in honor of our Lord, our King. Challenges may come, comfort zones may break, but in God's guidance, a new path we take. Open to insights, to understanding new, promoting love and unity in all we do. Trust in God's plan, in His perfect timing, even when His ways are climing. His mysteries may be beyond our ken, but trust we must, again and again. Be attentive to the Spirit's gentle lead, in our lives, in our communities, in every deed. For in His guidance, in His love so grand, We find our place in God's great plan.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging Your sovereignty and grace. We thank You for Your love that knows no bounds, for Your acceptance that does not discriminate. You do not show favoritism but accept those from every nation who fear You and do what is right. We are grateful for the Gospel, the good news of Your love and salvation, which is for everyone, regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. This truth encourages us to embrace diversity and treat everyone with respect and equality, reflecting Your love in our interactions with others. Lord, we ask for Your guidance in our lives. Help us to be open to Your direction, even when it challenges our preconceived notions or comfort zones. Grant us the wisdom to remain open to new insights and understandings, especially those that promote love and unity. We trust in Your plan and timing, Lord, even when we don’t fully understand it. We know that Your ways are higher than our ways, and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. Help us to trust in You with all our hearts and lean not on our own understanding. Finally, Lord, we ask for the leading of Your Spirit in our lives and in our communities. May we be attentive to the Spirit’s guidance, discerning Your will in all things. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
God welcomes our honest prayers and wants to hear about our struggles, doubts, and fears. It’s okay to be honest with God about our feelings. Despite feeling downcast and disturbed, we should always puts our hope in God and trust in His love and faithfulness, even in times of despair. It is an expression of our intense longing for God and a deep desire for the Lord to be present in each and every moment of our lives. Let us always seek God's guidance in our lives earnestly and passionately and to follow His truth.
2 As the hind longs for the running waters, so my soul longs for you, O God. 3 Athirst is my soul for God, the living God. When shall I go and behold the face of God? 43:3 Send forth your light and your fidelity; they shall lead me on and bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling-place. 4 Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy; then will I give you thanks upon the harp, O God, my God! (Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4)
In the quiet corners of our hearts, a prayer takes flight, God welcomes all - our joy, our fears, our day, our night. He wants to hear our struggles, doubts, and fears, in every whispered worry, His love appears. It's okay to be honest, to let our feelings show, for God is in the listening, in the ebb and flow. Despite feeling downcast, disturbed, and in despair, we find hope in His presence, a solace rare. In His love and faithfulness, we place our trust, even when life's storms around us gust. Our hope in God, a beacon bright, guiding us through the darkest night. An intense longing for God, deep within our core, a desire for His presence, now and evermore. In every moment of our lives, in every beat, We yearn for God, in victories and defeat. Seeking His guidance, earnestly and passionately we pray, to follow His truth, to walk in His way. In every step we take, in every choice, may we seek His guidance, and in His love, rejoice.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You with open hearts, acknowledging that You welcome our honest prayers. You desire to hear about our struggles, our doubts, and our fears. We find comfort in knowing that it's okay to be honest with You about our feelings. In times when we feel downcast and disturbed, remind us to always put our hope in You. Help us to trust in Your love and faithfulness, even in times of despair. May we always remember that You are our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Our souls long for You, O God, with an intense longing that words cannot express. We have a deep desire for You to be present in each and every moment of our lives. May this longing lead us closer to You, drawing us into a deeper relationship with You. Guide us, Lord, in all our ways. We seek Your guidance in our lives earnestly and passionately. Help us to follow Your truth, to walk in Your ways, and to live according to Your will. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
II: The Book of Signs
THE GOOD SHEPHERD
John 10:1-21
Responsorial Psalm
Second Book of Psalms 42-72
LOOKING FOR GOD'S PRESENCE IN THE TEMPLE
Psalm 42:1-12 / 1-5
First Reading
IV. The Inauguration of the Gentile Mission
THE BAPTISM OF THE GENTILES EXPLAINED
Acts 11:1-18
Reflection Source:
Copilot
