An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - May 5, 2024
“This I Command You: Love One Another”
In today's scripture readings, the person of God is clearly defined for us. In each of our readings, we hear an aspect of God's boundless love for all humanity; all saying the same
thing: God is Love! And Jesus commands us to be in God’s image, that is, to love one another as Jesus has loved us.
In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 10:25-26, 34-35, 44-48), we hear about Peter visiting the home of Cornelius, the (Gentile) Centurion who was nonetheless a God-fearing person. While Peter was speaking, the Holy Spirit descended upon all who were listening. Thus, it was clear to Peter and to those with him that "God shows no partiality". This action of the Holy Spirit convinced Peter that the Gentiles were to be included in God’s holy kingdom and all believers were to be baptized, Jews and Gentiles alike.
In our Epistle reading (1 John 4:7-10), St. John describes God as being Love itself. It is not just one of God’s attributes, it is who God is—the core of his being. There is no better or clearer description of who God is. It is this Love that sent his only son as "expiation for our sins."
In today's Gospel reading (John 15:9-17), we hear a continuation from last Sunday’s Gospel reading on the vine and the branches. It was Jesus’ farewell discourse to his disciples at the Last Supper. In this segment, Jesus described what love is and who the Father is (Love). Jesus reminded them, "It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you." And then, Jesus’ final command to his disciples—”Love one another.”
Consider this personal reflection on what it means that God is Love: All the many ways that we refer to God are anthropomorphic in nature, meaning they are human characteristics we assign to God in an effort to better understand what is beyond our understanding, except one - Love. Love is not a human characteristic we assign to God, it is God's character that he assigns to us. To love is to be like God; it is how we are in the image of God. Anyone who has ever loved another person so completely as to sacrifice everything for the good of that person, has seen God.
www.bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/050524.cfm
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - April 28, 2024
“Remain In Me As I Remain In You”
Our readings during this Easter season are a special delight because our first readings are always from the Acts of the Apostles, telling the story of
the formation of the early Church. Our second readings are mostly from the First Letter of St. John, focusing on love and our relationship to God, remaining (abiding) in him and he in us. Our Gospel readings are from the Gospel of John, focusing on the true identity of Jesus, his relationship to the Father and our relationship to the Father through Jesus.
In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 9:26-31), we hear how the Apostles were afraid of this new convert Saul (Paul), who had formerly persecuted them with a vengeance. Now, since Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1), he "spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord." Through the friendship and intercession of Barnabus, the other apostles ultimately accepted Paul.
In our Epistle reading, (1 John 3:18-24), St. John describes the intimate relationship we have with God - a relationship of Love. We are also commanded to love one another. In so doing, and in believing in Jesus, the Christ, we remain in him and he in us.
In our Gospel reading (John 15:1-7), we hear part of Jesus’ Last Supper Discourse. It is his farewell address to his disciples just before his arrest and crucifixion. Jesus described himself as the "true vine", us as the branches and the Father as the vine grower. Just as branches cannot live apart from the vine, so we can do nothing apart from Jesus. If we remain in him, we will bear much fruit.
We who live in the wine region of New York can especially relate to the metaphor of the vine, the branches and the bearing of much fruit. We understand how the vine must be lovingly pruned by the vine grower and we understand what happens to the branches that are cut off from the vine. We know the relationship the vine grower has to his vines and the grapes. We can relate to the metaphor of the vine grower (God) and the vines (us) and the grapes and the wine (a sign of our fruit). The wine also points us to the Eucharist. We are called to believe in Jesus, the son of God and to remain in him. Just as the “Church throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria was at peace” under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, so can we be at peace, under the guidance of the same Holy Spirit.
www.bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042824.cfm
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - April 21, 2024
“I Am The Good Shepherd, And I Know Mine and Mine Know Me”
The fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday. This is a time for us to ponder the great love that God has for us and the special
relationship we have with Jesus and with the Father through him. The greatest sign of God’s love is the gift of his son.
Our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12) is a continuation of the events following the healing of the crippled man at the temple gate by Peter and John (Acts 3). Now they have been arrested by the Sadducees and brought before the Sanhedrin and questioned. Peter spoke boldly and with the authority given to him by Jesus as he proclaimed the resurrected Christ as the only source of salvation.
In our Epistle reading (1 John 3:1-2), St. John reminds us of our special relationship with the Father through Jesus. John speaks of the beatific vision when he proclaims that when “it (Christ) is revealed”, we shall be like him and we shall see him as he is.
In our Gospel reading (John 10:11-18), Jesus described himself as the Good Shepherd. He contrasted himself with the hired man, who runs away when the wolf comes because his sheep are not his. Jesus also proclaimed that he will gather “the other sheep” (the Gentiles) into one flock. The relationship between sheep and shepherd has always been a great metaphor for describing our relationship with our Lord (See Ezekiel 34). Notice the contrast between the Good Shepherd (Jesus, the great gatherer), the hired man (corrupt leaders of Israel) and the wolf (Satan, the great scatterer). We follow the one whose voice we know, the one who loves us and lays down his life for us.
Our readings today are about relationship - with Jesus and with our Father. Our first reading tells us it is through Jesus alone that we find salvation. He is the cornerstone of our lives. Our Epistle reminds us that we are God's children and God is our Father. In time, we will clearly see him as he is. Our Gospel reading describes Jesus as our Good Shepherd. He will gather us all into one flock, one Church. We know his voice and we follow him. He lays down his life for us.
www.bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042124.cfm
An Introduction to the Sunday Scripture Readings - April 14, 2024
“He Opened Their Minds To Understand The Scriptures”
In this Third Sunday of Easter, our readings teach us that Jesus is the Messiah prophesied throughout all of the Hebrew Scriptures beginning with “the Law of
Moses, and in the prophets and psalms.” Peter proclaimed this in our first reading and Jesus himself "opened their minds" as He appeared to his disciples that first Easter Sunday night.
In our first reading (Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19), St. Peter spoke to the crowd gathered just after he healed a crippled man at the "Beautiful Gate" of the temple. He proclaimed the risen Christ as the "suffering servant" that Isaiah and other prophets foretold long ago, raised up and glorified by the “God of our fathers.” He called them to repentance and conversion so that their “sins may be wiped away.”
In our Epistle reading (1 John 2:1-5), St. John calls us to repentance but offers comfort that when we do sin, Jesus the Advocate will intercede for us. He is “expiation for our sins, and not for our sins only, but for those of the whole world.” But “whoever keeps His word, the love of God is truly perfected in Him.”
In our Gospel reading (Luke 24:35-48), we hear St. Luke's telling of that first Easter Sunday night, when Jesus appeared to his apostles and disciples. The two disciples, who had been “on the road to Emmaus", have just told of their encounter with the risen Jesus and how they “recognized him in the breaking of the bread.” Then Jesus appeared to the apostles and others with them by saying “Peace be with you”. Consider what an awesome and glorious moment that must have been for his disciples. Jesus showed them that he is alive and not a ghost by showing His wounds and sharing a meal with them. Then He "opened their minds to understand the scriptures" .
Our readings today remind us that from the very beginning, it was God's plan that the Christ would suffer and die for the expiation of our sins and that we would be offered forgiveness and right relationship with the Father. St. John tells us that to know Jesus is to keep His commandments. May we know Jesus! May we always keep His commandments.
www.bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/041424.cfm
An Introduction to Sunday's Scripture Readings - December 25
“AND THE WORD BECAME FLESH AND DWELT AMONG US”
Our readings for Christmas Mass at night draw a direct connection between what Isaiah prophesied more than 500
years before Christ was born and what took place that Christmas night when the prophesy was fulfilled in all its humble glory.
In our first reading (Isaiah 9:1-6), we hear the prophesy of Isaiah that is proclaimed every Christmas Eve night - God's own Son will come to deliver us. "For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, from David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.”
In our Epistle (Titus 2:11-14), St. Paul leads us to remember that Christ promised to come again and will deliver us from all lawlessness. Paul teaches us how to live while we await the return of Jesus our Savior. “The grace of God has appeared, saving all and training us to reject godless ways and worldly desires and to live temperately, justly, and devoutly in this age, as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of our great God and savior Jesus Christ.”
Our Gospel reading (Luke 2:1-14) is the account of Jesus' humble birth as Joseph and Mary traveled to Bethlehem to register for the census of the house of David. The first to bear witness were the lowly shepherds from the surrounding hillsides.
The birth of the Jesus the Messiah was not just something that happened a long time ago. It was an event foretold for centuries and awaited fervently by the people of Israel. From the moment of Jesus' birth to his tragic death and triumphant resurrection, he was the embodiment of humility, patience, and love. It is how he calls us to live "temperately, justly and devoutly in this age as we await the blessed hope."
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/122523-night.cfm
Click 'Read more' for the reflection on the Christmas Day readings.