First Reading (Acts 11:1-18)
Reading of the Acts of the Apostles.
In those days, the apostles and brothers who lived in Judea knew that the pagans had also received the Word of God. When Peter went up to Jerusalem, the faithful of Jewish origin began to argue with him, saying: “You entered the house of pagans and ate with them!” Then Peter began to tell them, point by point, what had happened: “I was in the city of Joppa, and as I was praying, I became ecstatic and saw this vision: I saw something like a large towel that, Supported by the four points, it descended from the sky and reached me. I looked closely and saw within it quadrupeds of the earth, wild animals, reptiles and birds of the air. Then I heard a voice saying to me: ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat’. I replied: ‘Not at all, Lord! Because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth. The voice said to me for the second time: ‘Do not call unclean what God has purified’. This was repeated three times. Then the thing was lifted into the sky again. At that moment, three men showed up at the house where we were. They had been sent from Caesarea to look for me. The Spirit told me to go with them without hesitation. The six brothers who are here accompanied me and we entered that man’s house. Then he told us that he had seen an angel present himself at his house and say: ‘Send someone to Joppa and call Simon, known as Peter. He will tell you about events that bring salvation to you and your entire family’. As soon as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit came upon them, just as he came upon us in the beginning. Then I remembered what the Lord had said: ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit’. God gave them the same gift that he gave to us who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Who would I be to oppose God’s action?” Upon hearing this, the faithful of Jewish origin calmed down and glorified God, saying: “God also granted the conversion that leads to life to the pagans!”
Word of the Lord.
Thank God.
Gospel (John 10,1-10)
Proclamation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
Glory to you Lord.
At that time, Jesus said: “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold by the gate, but climbs in some other way, is a thief and a robber. Whoever enters the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To this the gatekeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; he calls the sheep by name and leads them out. And after bringing out all his own, he walks before him, and the sheep follow him, because they know his voice. But they do not follow a stranger, but rather run away from him, because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus told them this parable, but they did not understand what he meant. Then Jesus continued: “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the gate of the sheep. All those who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. Whoever enters through me will be saved; he will go in and out and find pasture. The thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it abundantly.”
Word of salvation.
Glory to you Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to start our reflection with a question: have you ever felt lost in the middle of a dense forest, not knowing which way to go? Or perhaps you have already faced the feeling of being trapped in a maze, without finding the way out? These experiences can be frightening and leave us disoriented, not knowing where to go.
However, the biblical passages we have just heard offer us a reliable compass, a light that illuminates our path and guides us to true life. In the First Reading, taken from the Acts of the Apostles, we witness a pivotal moment in the life of the early Church. Peter, the courageous apostle, faces resistance and doubts from the other disciples as he recounts his experience with the Gentiles. He tells them how the Holy Spirit came upon non-Jews, clearly demonstrating that salvation is not restricted to a specific people or nation. This revolutionary revelation opened the doors of faith to all people, without distinction.
This message of inclusion and unconditional love echoes to this day. She reminds us that there are no barriers or limits to God’s grace. He calls everyone, regardless of their origin, social status or life history. This is a profoundly liberating truth for us who often feel excluded, unwanted, or lost. God invites us to come into His fold, to find shelter and security in His merciful love.
And it is exactly about this divine love and care that Jesus tells us in the Gospel of John. He presents himself as the Good Shepherd, the one who knows his sheep by name and leads them to green pastures. But, at the same time, He warns about the dangers of strange voices that try to divert us from the true path. These voices can take many forms: the temptations of the world, false teachings, or even our own doubts and fears.
We are called to discern the voice of the Good Shepherd, to become familiar with it through prayer, the study of the Word of God and communion with the community of faith. It is in this deep relationship with Jesus that we find the true security, the true joy and the true purpose we seek so much. He is the door that leads us to the fullness of life, to life in abundance.
These biblical passages contain a transformative message for our lives. They teach us that no matter how lost or disoriented we may feel, God is always with us, guiding us with love and compassion. But how can we apply these truths to our daily lives? How can we make the message of the Good Shepherd resonate in our daily lives?
Allow me to share with you some stories and reflections that illustrate these principles and help us understand their practical application.
Imagine yourself in the dense forest again, but this time you are accompanied by an experienced guide. This guide knows every trail, every shortcut and every danger along the way. He is by your side, guiding you, protecting you, and pointing you in the right direction. This guide represents Jesus, the Good Shepherd, who accompanies us on our earthly journey. He knows our struggles, our fears and our weaknesses, but He never abandons us. He is always by our side, guiding us with wisdom and love.
Also think of a loving father who builds a fence around his house to protect his young children. This fence represents God’s commandments and teachings that protect us from evil and lead us to true life. Sometimes we may see these commandments as restrictions or limitations, but in reality, they free us from the consequences of our harmful choices. They keep us on the path of truth and allow us to experience the fullness of life that God desires for us.
Furthermore, let us think of a shepherd who cares for his flock with dedication and love. He knows each sheep individually, their needs, their weaknesses and their strengths. He guides them to green pastures, where they find food and rest. This image reminds us of the personal and intimate care that God has for each of us. He knows us deeply and calls us by name. He accompanies us in our joys and sorrows, in our victories and defeats. He leads us to places of peace and rest, where we find spiritual nourishment and renewal.
Dear brothers and sisters, how then can we apply these principles in our daily lives?
First, it is important to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus, the Good Shepherd. This means regularly dedicating time to prayer, reading the Word of God and participating in the life of the faith community. It is in this relationship that we begin to discern the Shepherd’s voice and follow his footsteps. It is in this relationship that we find the strength and encouragement necessary to face life’s difficulties.
Secondly, we must listen carefully to the voice of the Good Shepherd and reject the strange voices that try to divert us from the path. Sometimes these voices can be subtle and deceptive, appearing attractive and persuasive. However, if they do not align with the truths revealed in Scripture and Church tradition, we must be careful. The Word of God and the wisdom of the faith community are our sure guides amid the uncertainties and temptations of the world.
Thirdly, we must live according to God’s commandments and teachings. They are not mere arbitrary rules, but rather a path to true freedom and fulfillment. As we live in obedience to these commandments, we experience the peace of conscience, harmony in relationships, and the deep joy that only God can give.
Finally, we must be attentive to the needs of our neighbors and be instruments of God’s love and compassion in the world. Just as Jesus, the Good Shepherd, cares for each individual sheep, we are also called to care for each other. We can be that voice of encouragement, that friendly shoulder, that extended hand to those around us. We can share the love and hope we receive from God, making His presence tangible in the lives of those around us.
Dear brothers and sisters, as we conclude this homily, I invite each of you to reflect on the biblical passages we have heard today. Think about how the Good Shepherd’s message resonates in your personal life. Where do you feel lost or disoriented? Where do you need to hear and follow the Shepherd’s voice?
May we open our hearts to the action of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide us, transform us and enable us to live in accordance with the teachings of the Scriptures. May we be living witnesses of divine love and grace in our world, sharing the hope we find in Christ.
May the Good Shepherd, who gave His life for the sheep, bless us and lead us in all our paths. May He keep us in His love and lead us to the abundant life He has promised.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
May God bless you all.
