Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
(John 10:11)
Jesus is the good shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep, unlike a hired hand who abandons the sheep when danger approaches. The good shepherd’s willingness to sacrifice for the well-being of the sheep is a model of selfless love and commitment. Jesus knows His sheep intimately, and they know Him. This speaks to the deep relationship between Christ and His followers. Jesus’ mission extends beyond the Jewish people to include others, which reflects the universal scope of His call and love. These lessons emphasize the depth of Jesus’ love and dedication, the importance of personal relationships with Him, and the inclusive nature of His message.
11 Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. 13 This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. 14 I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd. 17 This is why the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own. I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again. This command I have received from my Father.” (John 10:11-18)
In pastures green, under skies so blue, stands the Good Shepherd, faithful and true. Laying down His life for the sheep, a love so deep, it makes the angels weep. Not a hired hand, fleeing from danger, but a loving Savior, no stranger to manger. His sacrifice, a model of love, echoing through the heavens above. He knows His sheep, they know His voice, in His love, they rejoice. A relationship deep, a bond so strong, in His flock, we belong. His mission extends, beyond the Jewish fold, to include others, both young and old. A universal call, a love so wide, in His grace, we confide. These lessons we learn, these truths we hold, of Jesus' love, more precious than gold. His dedication, His relationship with us, in His message, we place our trust.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging Jesus as the good shepherd. Unlike a hired hand who abandons the sheep when danger approaches, Jesus lays down His life for us. His willingness to sacrifice for our well-being is a model of selfless love and commitment that we strive to emulate. We thank You for the deep relationship we have with Jesus. He knows us intimately, and we know Him. This relationship strengthens our faith and guides us in our daily lives. We recognize that Jesus' mission extends beyond the Jewish people to include all who believe in Him. This reflects the universal scope of His call and love, reminding us of the inclusive nature of Your kingdom. These lessons emphasize the depth of Jesus' love and dedication. They highlight the importance of personal relationships with You and inspire us to share Your love with others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
The influence of a Spirit-led Life shall give us the courage to stand up for our faith despite facing opposition. We will choose to obey God and align ourselves with divine authority rather than human authorities. Our faith will be put into action by boldly proclaiming that only Jesus can save us from the power and guilt of sin. No Other Name but Jesus, the unique, unparalleled authority and ultimate power of salvation. When we walk with Jesus daily, people around us will start to see Jesus in us. Marked by love and generosity, we shall adopt love as a way of life with full confidence in sharing our faith.
8 Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said: “Leaders of the people and elders: 9 If we are being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means he was saved, 10 then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed. 11 He is the stone rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” (Acts 4:8-12)
In the realm where Spirit's influence lies, courage blooms under the celestial skies. Despite opposition, in faith we stand, an unyielding fortress in shifting sand. God's command we choose to obey, with divine authority, we align our way. Not to men, but to God above, we pledge our loyalty, we pledge our love. Our faith in action, a bold proclamation, Jesus, the key to our salvation. From guilt and sin, He sets us free, no other name holds this decree. Daily with Jesus, we choose to tread, His love and teachings, our daily bread. In us, may others His image see, Reflections of His grace, reflections of His decree. Marked by love, marked by generosity, we adopt love as our life's propensity. In sharing our faith, we find our voice, in Jesus, our Savior, we rejoice.
Dear Heavenly Father, we come before You today, acknowledging the influence of a Spirit-led life. Grant us the courage to stand up for our faith, even when we face opposition. Help us to choose to obey You, aligning ourselves with Your divine authority rather than human authorities. As we put our faith into action, we boldly proclaim that only Jesus can save us from the power and guilt of sin. There is no other name but Jesus, the unique, unparalleled authority and ultimate power of salvation. As we walk with Jesus daily, let people around us start to see Jesus in us. Mark us with love and generosity, as we adopt love as our way of life. Give us full confidence in sharing our faith. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
It is better to trust in the Lord than in man. Man will let you down; the Lord never will. Know that in the name of the Lord, we can win the victory over any enemy. The Lord is all we need. He is our salvation and our enduring prosperity. All are the works of God, His doings. Calling upon God leads to great blessings.
1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his mercy endures forever. 8 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. 9 It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. 21 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. 22 The stone which the builders rejected has become the cornerstone. 23 By the Lord has this been done; it is wonderful in our eyes. 26 Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; we bless you from the house of the Lord. 28 I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me and have been my savior. 29 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his kindness endures forever. (Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29)
In the Lord we place our trust, not in man, for man may falter, but the Lord never can. Victory is ours in the Lord's holy name, over every enemy, His power we proclaim. The Lord is all we need, our enduring prosperity, our rock, our salvation, in Him we find serenity. All around us, His works so grand, crafted by His mighty hand. Call upon the Lord, blessings He'll bestow, in His presence, love and grace overflow. So let us trust, let us pray, for in the Lord, we find our way.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that it is better to trust in You than in man. For man may let us down, but You, Lord, never will. We know that in Your name, we can win the victory over any enemy. You, Lord, are all we need. You are our salvation and our enduring prosperity. All around us, we see Your works, Your doings, and we are in awe of Your power and grace. We understand the importance of calling upon You, Lord. We know that when we call upon You, great blessings follow. So, we call upon You now, asking for Your guidance, Your protection, and Your blessing. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
God’s love is so great that He calls us His children. This love is not based on our merit or worthiness, but on His grace and mercy. Being called children of God is not just a title, but an identity. It changes how we view ourselves, how we interact with God, and how we interact with others. Our faith may set us apart, and that we should not be surprised if the world does not understand or accept us. God knows everything about us, including our hearts. If our motives are selfish, God knows it. If our motives are pure, He knows that too. Our salvation begins and ends with Jesus. Therefore, if we want to be confident when we go before God on Judgment Day, we need to prepare ourselves while we are on Earth.
1 Beloved: See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2 Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we shall be has not yet been revealed. We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:1-2)
In God's love, so vast and free, He calls us His children, for all to see. Not by merit, not by worth, but by His grace, He gives us rebirth. Children of God, a title so grand, an identity that helps us understand. How we view ourselves, how we relate, to God and others, in love, not hate. Our faith may set us apart, in a world that doesn't understand the heart. Yet, God knows us, through and through, our motives, whether false or true. If selfish our hearts, He knows it well, if pure our intentions, in us He'll dwell. Our salvation, in Jesus it starts and ends, on this truth, our confidence depends. So let's prepare, while on this earth, for Judgment Day, and our rebirth. For in God's love, so great and wide, in His mercy, we'll forever abide.
Dear Heavenly Father, we acknowledge the greatness of Your love, a love so profound that You call us Your children. We understand that this love is not based on our merit or worthiness, but on Your grace and mercy. Being called children of God is not just a title, but an identity. It changes how we view ourselves, how we interact with You, and how we interact with others. We recognize that our faith may set us apart, and we should not be surprised if the world does not understand or accept us. You, Lord, know everything about us, including our hearts. If our motives are selfish, You know it. If our motives are pure, You know that too. Our salvation begins and ends with Jesus. Therefore, if we want to be confident when we go before You on Judgment Day, we need to prepare ourselves while we are on Earth. Help us to live according to Your will, to walk in Your ways, and to seek Your face in all that we do. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Pericope:
Gospel
II: The Mission in Jerusalem
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN
Acts 4:1-22
First Reading
II: The Mission in Jerusalem
BEFORE THE SANHEDRIN
Acts 4:1-22
Responsorial Psalm
Fifth Book of Psalms 107-150
HYMN OF THANKSGIVING
Psalm 118:1-29
Second Reading
III: Love for One Another
CONFIDENCE BEFORE GOD
1 John 3:1-24
