Daily Readings - Sat May 06 2017

First Reading - 2 Timothy 4.1-5

¹I testify before God, and before Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead through his return and his kingdom²that you should preach the word urgently, in season and out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke, with all patience and doctrine³For there shall be a time when they will not endure sound doctrine, but instead, according to their own desires, they will gather to themselves teachers, with itching ears⁴and certainly, they will turn their hearing away from the truth, and they will be turned toward fables⁵But as for you, truly, be vigilant, laboring in all things. Do the work of an Evangelist, fulfilling your ministry. Show self-restraint

Gospel - John 10.11-16

John

Chapter 10

¹¹I am the good Shepherd. The good Shepherd gives his life for his sheep¹²But the hired hand, and whoever is not a shepherd, to whom the sheep do not belong, he sees the wolf approaching, and he departs from the sheep and flees. And the wolf ravages and scatters the sheep¹³And the hired hand flees, because he is a hired hand and there is no concern for the sheep within him¹⁴I am the good Shepherd, and I know my own, and my own know me¹⁵just as the Father knows me, and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for my sheep¹⁶And I have other sheep that are not of this fold, and I must lead them. They shall hear my voice, and there shall be one sheepfold and one shepherd

Sermon

In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound commitment required in our faith journey. The first reading from 2 Timothy urges us to preach the word with urgency and patience, even when it becomes challenging. This passage, written by Paul near the end of his life, encourages Timothy to remain steadfast in his ministry, highlighting the importance of perseverance and fidelity to the Gospel. The second reading from John presents Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who selflessly lays down His life for His sheep, contrasting with the hired hand who flees in times of danger. This metaphor underscores Jesus' deep care and commitment to His followers. These readings are deeply connected through the theme of dedication and selflessness. Paul's exhortation to Timothy reflects the same unwavering commitment that Jesus exemplifies as the Good Shepherd. Both emphasize the importance of standing firm in one's responsibilities, whether in ministry or in daily life, and of caring for others with compassion and love. This relationship invites us to reflect on our own commitment to our faith and our roles within our communities. Applying these lessons to our daily lives, we are called to embody the qualities of the Good Shepherd. This means being dedicated to our responsibilities, whether in our personal or professional lives, and caring for others with the same love and concern that Jesus shows us. It involves standing firm in our beliefs, even when faced with challenges, and serving others with selflessness. As we go about our day, let us remember the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, and strive to reflect His love and commitment in all that we do. May we, like Paul, fulfill our ministries with vigor and patience, and may we, like the Good Shepherd, lay down our lives in service to others.