Sunday, April 26, 2015, Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 4:8-12, 1 John 3:1-2, Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29, John 10:11-18
Link to Readings --> http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/042615.cfm
THE LIFE OF A SHEEP
"I am the Good Shepherd; the Good Shepherd lays down His life for the sheep." -John 10:11
"I am the Good Shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me." -John 10:14
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and we are His sheep. To be called a sheep is not a compliment. Sheep are sheepish, that is, backward and timid. Sheep can't even eat grass without destroying the field where the grass grows. That's one of the reasons they need shepherds to move them elsewhere. When Jesus called us "sheep," He implied that we weren't just weak but helpless. Without Him we can do nothing (Jn 15:5).
We sheep, who are so pathetic, have a hard time living under the easiest circumstances. What will we do in difficult and dangerous circumstances? Thieves are coming "only to steal and slaughter and destroy" us (Jn 10:10). Wolves are trying to snatch, scatter, and kill us (Jn 10:12). Some of these wolves are in sheep's clothing (Mt 7:15), so some of those we consider our friends are actually our enemies. Furthermore, some of our shepherds upon whom we are counting to protect us are merely hired hands who will abandon us and leave us to be slaughtered (Jn 10:12).
We sheep are simple, weak, and in a "heap of trouble." Our only Hope is Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Follow Jesus.
Prayer: Jesus, Good Shepherd, lead me through the valley of the shadow of death (Ps 23:4, RSV-CE).
Promise: "See what love the Father has bestowed on us in letting us be called children of God! Yet that is what we are." -1 Jn 3:1
Praise: Praise Jesus, Who holds "the keys of death and the nether world" (Rv 1:18). Praise You, Good Shepherd, that no one can snatch us out of Your hand (Jn 10:28). Alleluia forever!
(For a related teaching, order our tape "Developing a Deep, Personal Relationship with Jesus" on audio AV 52-1 or video V-52.)
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Rescript: In accord with the "Code of Canon Law", I hereby grant my permission to publish "One Bread, One Body" covering the period from April 1, 2015 through May 31, 2015
?Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 21, 2014
The rescript is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted ecclesial permission agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.
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