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Meditation: Acts 2:14, 36-41

4th Sunday of Easter

They were cut to the heart. (Acts 2:37)

What a vivid image! But this is not the only place in Scripture where we see this happening. The Letter to the Hebrews says that the word of God is a “two-edged sword” that slices between “soul and spirit” (Hebrews 4:12). On the road to Emmaus, the disciples’ hearts burned as they heard Jesus explain the Scriptures (Luke 24:32).

Peter, the man who just fifty days ago had denied knowing Jesus, was now speaking boldly about him and what he accomplished for us on the cross. Through his preaching, he presented the people with a picture of Jesus that cut many of them to the heart and brought them to conversion.

Today, let’s try to put ourselves in the place of the people listening to Peter. Let’s fix our attention on Jesus and ask him to cut us to the heart.

Think about what it was like for Jesus before he became a man. Imagine him in the glory of heaven, surrounded by the praise of the angels. Think about what it must be like to be omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent—with no needs or limitations at all.

Now, in the midst of this glorious life, the Son of God freely chose to come among us. Imagine the sacrifice he made to take on human flesh. He would experience hunger, weariness, fear, loneliness, and temptation. He whom the angels adored allowed himself to be insulted, threatened, hated, and nailed to a cross. Imagine the love that moved him to do this for us. This love is the message that cut the people to the heart and moved them to ask, “What are we to do?” (Acts 2:37).

As we come to know the depth, breadth, and width of Jesus’ love, we’ll find ourselves asking the same question. “What can I do but give my heart to Jesus and follow him wherever he leads?”

“Come, Lord, and cut me to the heart. I want to know the joy and freedom of following you!”

Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10

Questions for Reflection or Group Discussion

(Acts 2:14, 36-41; Psalm 23:1-6; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10)

1. In the first reading from Acts, Peter encourages the people to “Repent and be baptized” so that they will experience “forgiveness” and “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” We as baptized Christian have also received “the gift of the Holy Spirit.” How would you describe what you have done with this gift you’ve received? In what way has it made a difference in the way you live out your life each day as a Christian? What steps can you take to allow the Holy Spirit to take a more active role in guiding and leading you?

2. The responsorial psalm, Psalm 23, reminds us of the first words spoken by John Paul II after his election as Pope: “Do not be afraid.” Even though we know that the “Lord is my Shepherd,” what are the fears that can keep you from being the Catholic Christian you are called to be?

3. In the second reading, St. Peter describes Christ’s response (“he committed no sin”) to the unjust insults and sufferings he received. What is your typical response to insults and suffering, especially when you think they are unjust? Do you think it is possible to respond in the way Jesus did? Why or why not? How do you think God wants you to respond?

4. The Gospel speaks of hearing the voice of our shepherd. In what ways does the Lord “speak” to you in prayer? How do you recognize his voice? What practical steps can you take to try to become more open to hearing the Lord’s voice during your times of prayer?

5. The Gospel also gives us an unambiguous description of Satan’s role. In contrast to the role of the Good Shepherd (or Psalm 23), Satan comes “only to steal and slaughter and destroy.” How does Satan, “the father of lies and the accuser of the brethren,” use this role to destroy relationships? How might you counter him?

6. The meditation ends with these words: “As we come to know the depth, breadth, and width of Jesus’ love, we’ll find ourselves asking the same question. ‘What can I do but give my heart to Jesus and follow him wherever he leads?’” How would you answer this question?

7. Take some time now and pray that you too would be “cut to the heart” by the “depth, breadth, and width of Jesus love.” Use the prayer at the end of the meditation as the starting point.

A Christian Pilgrim

JESUS IS OUR GOOD SHEPHERD

(A biblical reflection on THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (Year A], 11 May 2014)

Gospel Reading: John 10:1-10

First Reading: Acts 2:14a,36-41; Psalms: Psalam 23:1-6; Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:20b-25

The Scripture Text
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of the strangers.” This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not understand what He was saying to them.
So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before Me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door, if any one enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:1-10 RSV)

Jesus, the crucified one, has been raised up, exalted at the right hand of God (Acts 2:22-28). These were the words of assurance that Peter gave the crowd that gathered on the first Christian Pentecost. Like those first believers, we too can be cut to the heart as we welcome the outpoured Spirit to move us in repentance and faith to accept the life that Jesus offers. He who “committed no sin” (1 Peter 2:22) chose, out of love for us and obedience to His Father, to bear the guilt of our sin so that we might receive new life in Him.

How could God’s love, care and protection for His people be more adequately described than by the figure of a shepherd? It was an image common to the Old Testament, drawn from pastoral life but having a particular reference to the deliverance that the Jewish people experienced during the Exodus. Now, in the age of the Church, Jesus is the Good Shepherd: the new Moses who is God’s provision for a wandering people. “For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls” (1 Peter 2:25). He has come to bring life in abundance to each one of us (John 10:10). While the world offers many options that promise “life” – the pursuit of which ultimately brings disappointment and emptiness – Jesus offers an eternal life that brings us into unity with the divine life of the Trinity.

Any image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd which does not embrace the sacrificial dimensions of shepherding falls short of how Jesus understood His mission. Jesus confronted life and death, sacrificial issues that ended in His crucifixion. He was the true Shepherd because He laid down His life for us. His love is personal and intimate, and He calls each of us by name (John 10:3). In love, He sought the one who strayed and rejoiced when it was found (Luke 15:4-7).

Amidst the clamor of false claimants, those who hunger for His life will recognize His voice. Every disciple who follows Him is empowered by grace to live the same life as Jesus. We will strengthened in the daily struggle of resisting sin as we turn to the sinless one who not only leads us into abundant life, but is also the door – the way into that life.

Prayer: The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. In verdant pastures He gives me repose. Beside restful waters He leads me; He refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for His name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for You are at my side. With Your rod and Your staff that give me courage. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life. And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come (Psalm 23 NAB). Amen.