Catholic Caucus: Daily Mass Readings, 5-12-03, Optional: Sts. Nereus & Achilleus or St. Pancras

Reading I
Acts 11:1-18

The Apostles and the brothers who were in Judea
heard that the Gentiles too had accepted the word of God.
So when Peter went up to Jerusalem
the circumcised believers confronted him, saying,
"You entered the house of uncircumcised people and ate with them."
Peter began and explained it to them step by step, saying,
"I was at prayer in the city of Joppa
when in a trance I had a vision,
something resembling a large sheet coming down,
lowered from the sky by its four corners, and it came to me.
Looking intently into it,
I observed and saw the four-legged animals of the earth,
the wild beasts, the reptiles, and the birds of the sky.
I also heard a voice say to me, ‘Get up, Peter. Slaughter and eat.'
But I said, ‘Certainly not, sir,
because nothing profane or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'
But a second time a voice from heaven answered,
‘What God has made clean, you are not to call profane.'
This happened three times,
and then everything was drawn up again into the sky.
Just then three men appeared at the house where we were,
who had been sent to me from Caesarea.
The Spirit told me to accompany them without discriminating.
These six brothers also went with me,
and we entered the man's house.
He related to us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, saying,
‘Send someone to Joppa and summon Simon, who is called Peter,
who will speak words to you
by which you and all your household will be saved.'
As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell upon them
as it had upon us at the beginning,
and I remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said,
‘John baptized with water
but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.'
If then God gave them the same gift he gave to us
when we came to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,
who was I to be able to hinder God?"
When they heard this,
they stopped objecting and glorified God, saying,
"God has then granted life-giving repentance to the Gentiles too."

Responsorial Psalm
Ps 42:2-3; 43:3, 4

R (see 3a) Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R Alleluia.
As the hind longs for the running waters,
so my soul longs for you, O God.
Athirst is my soul for God, the living God.
When shall I go and behold the face of God?
R Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R Alleluia.
Send forth your light and your fidelity;
they shall lead me on
And bring me to your holy mountain,
to your dwelling-place.
R Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R Alleluia.
Then will I go in to the altar of God,
the God of my gladness and joy;
Then will I give you thanks upon the harp,
O God, my God!
R Athirst is my soul for the living God.
or:
R Alleluia.

Gospel
Jn 10:1-10

Jesus said:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
they did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;
I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."

From: Acts 11:1-18

In Jerusalem Peter Justifies His Conduct

[1] Now the Apostles and the brethren who were in Judea heard that the
Gentiles also had received the word of God. [2] So when Peter went up
to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, [3] saying, "Why
did you go to uncircumcised men and eat with them?" [4] But Peter
began and explained to them in order: [5] "I was in the city of Joppa
praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, something descending, like a
great sheet, let down from Heaven by four corners; and it came down to
me. [6] Looking at it closely I observed animals and beasts of prey
and reptiles and birds of the air. [7] And I heard a voice saying to
me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' [8] But I said, 'No, Lord; for
nothing common or unclean has ever entered my mouth.' [9] But the
voice answered a second time from Heaven, 'What God has cleansed you
must not call common.' [10] This happened three times, and all was
drawn up again into Heaven. [11] And that very moment three men
arrived at the house in which we were, sent to me from Caesarea.
[12] And the Spirit told me to go with them, making no distinction.
These six brethren also accompanied me, and we entered the man's house.
[13] And he told us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and
saying, 'Send to Joppa and bring Simon called Peter; [14] he will
declare to you a message by which you will be saved, you and all your
household.' [15] As I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them
just as on us at the beginning. [16] And I remembered the word of the
Lord, how He said, 'John baptized with water, but you shall be baptized
with the Holy Spirit.' [17] If then God gave the same gift to them as
He gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that
I could withstand God?" [18] When they heard this they were silenced.
And they glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also God has
granted repentance unto life."

Commentary:

1-18. Some members of the Jerusalem community are shocked to learn that
Peter has eaten with people who are legally unclean and has allowed
them to be baptized without first being circumcised.

"The circumcision party" refers, therefore, to those Christians who are
scandalized by the Gospel's attitude to the ritual prohibitions and
ethnic exclusiveness of the Mosaic Law.

The Apostle's address has a positive effect and sets their mind at
ease. This attitude of the disciples, who are interested only in the
will of God and the spread of the Gospel, shows how ready they are to
accept instruction: their initial reserve was quite conscientious.
Peter once again describes the vision he received (10:9-23), to show
that if he had not baptized Cornelius he would have been disobeying
God.

This account of the vision differs slightly from his earlier one, the
main addition being in verses 15-16, which connect the coming of the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost (2:1ff) with His descent on the Gentile
converts at Caesarea (10:44).

Unfortunately the stubborn Judaizing tendencies exhibited by some
members of the infant Church took a long time to disappear, as is
dramatically borne out in some of St. Paul's letters: he refers to
"false brethren secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on our
freedom which we have in Jesus Christ, that they might bring us into
bondage" (Galatians 2:4) and warns Christians to be on their guard
against fanatics of the Law of Moses who are self-serving and "want to
pervert the Gospel of Christ" (Galatians 1:7).

Source: "The Navarre Bible: Text and Commentaries". Biblical text
taken from the Revised Standard Version and New Vulgate. Commentaries
made by members of the Faculty of Theology of the University of
Navarre, Spain. Published by Four Courts Press, Kill Lane, Blackrock,
Co. Dublin, Ireland.

Optional Memorial: St. Isidore the Farmer, Married Man

From: John 10:1-10

The Good Shepherd

(Jesus said to the Pharisees,) [1] "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; [2] but he who enters by the door is
the shepherd of the sheep. [3] To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep
hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
[4] When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the
sheep follow him, for they know his voice. [5] A stranger they will
not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice
of strangers." [6] This figure Jesus used with them, but they did not
understand what He was saying to them.

[7] So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the
door of the sheep. [8] All who came before Me are thieves and robbers;
but the sheep did not heed them. [9] I am the door; if any one enters
by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. [10]
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they
may have life, and have it abundantly."

Commentary:

1-18. The image of the Good Shepherd recalls a favorite theme of Old
Testament prophetic literature: the chosen people is the flock, and
Yahweh is their shepherd (cf. Psalm 23). Kings and priests are also
described as shepherds or pastors. Jeremiah inveighs against those
pastors who had let their sheep go astray and in God's name promises
new pastors who will graze their flocks properly so that they will
never again be harassed or anxious (cf. 23:1-6; also 2:8; 3:15; 10:21;
Isaiah 40:1-11). Ezekiel reproaches pastors for their misdeeds and
sloth, their greed and neglect of their responsibility: Yahweh will
take the flock away from them and He Himself will look after their
sheep: indeed, a unique shepherd will appear, descended from David, who
will graze them and protect them (Ezekiel 34). Jesus presents Himself
as this shepherd who looks after His sheep, seeks out the strays, cures
the crippled and carries the weak on His shoulders (cf. Matthew
18:12-14; Luke 15:4-7), thereby fulfilling the ancient prophecies.

From earliest times, Christian art found its inspiration in this
touching image of the Good Shepherd, thereby leaving us a
representation of Christ's love for each of us.

In addition to the title of Good Shepherd, Christ applies to Himself
the image of the door into the sheepfold of the Church. "The Church,"
Vatican II teaches, "is a sheepfold, the sole and necessary gateway to
which is Christ (cf. John 10:1-10). It is also a flock, of which God
foretold that He Himself would be the shepherd (cf. Isaiah 40:11;
Ezekiel 34:11ff.), and whose sheep, although watched over by human
shepherds, are nevertheless at all times led and brought to pasture by
Christ Himself, the Good Shepherd and Prince of shepherds (cf. John
10:11; 1 Peter 5:4), who gave His life for His sheep (cf. John
10:11-15)" ("Lumen Gentium", 6).

1-2. The flock can be harmed in a subtle, hidden way, or in a blatant
way through abuse of authority. The history of the Church shows that
its enemies have used both methods: sometimes they enter the flock in a
secretive way to harm it from within; sometimes they attack it from
outside, openly and violently. "Who is the good shepherd? `He who
enters by the door' of faithfulness to the Church's doctrine and does
not act like the hireling `who sees the wolf coming and leaves the
sheep and flees'; whereupon `the wolf snatches them and scatters them'"
(St J. Escriva, "Christ Is Passing By", 34).

3-5. In those times it was usual at nightfall to bring a number of
flocks together into one sheepfold, where they would be kept for the
night with someone acting as look-out. Then at dawn the shepherds
would come back and open the sheepfold and each would call his sheep
which would gather round and follow him out of the pen (they were used
to his voice because he used to call them to prevent them from going
astray) and he would then lead them to pasture. Our Lord uses this
image--one very familiar to His listeners--to teach them a divine
truth: since there are strange voices around, we need to know the
voice of Christ--which is continually addressing us through the
Magisterium of the Church--and to follow it, if we are to get the
nourishment our soul needs. "Christ has given His Church sureness in
doctrine and a fountain of grace in the Sacraments. He has arranged
things so that there will always be people to guide and lead us, to
remind us constantly of our way. There is an infinite treasure of
knowledge available to us: the word of God kept safe by the Church, the
grace of Christ administered in the Sacraments and also the witness and
example of those who live by our side and have known how to build with
their good lives a road of faithfulness to God" (St J. Escriva, "Christ Is
Passing By", 34).

6. Christ develops and interprets the image of the shepherd and the
flock, to ensure that everyone who is well-disposed can understand His
meaning. But the Jews fail to understand--as happened also when He
promised the Eucharist (John 6:41-43) and spoke of the "living water"
(John 7:40-43), or when He raised Lazarus from the dead (John
11:45-46).

7. After describing His future Church through the image of the flock,
Christ extends the simile and calls Himself the "door of the sheep".
The shepherds and the sheep enter the sheepfold: both must enter
through the door, which is Christ. "I", St. Augustine preached,
"seeking to enter in among you, that is, into your heart, preach
Christ: if I were to preach other than that, I should be trying to
enter by some other way. Through Christ I enter in, not to your houses
but to your hearts. Through Him I enter and you have willingly heard
me speak of Him. Why? Because you are Christ's sheep and you have
been purchased with Christ's blood" ("In Ioann. Evang." 47, 2-3).

8. The severe reproach Jesus levels against those who came before Him
does not apply to Moses or the prophets (cf. John 5:39, 45; 8:56;

12:41), nor to the Baptist (cf. John 5:33), for they proclaimed the
future Messiah and prepared the way for Him. He is referring to the
false prophets and deceivers of the people, among them some teachers of
the Law--blind men and blind guides (cf. Matthew 23:16-24) who block
the people's way to Christ, as happened just a little before when the
man born blind was cured (cf. John 9).

FEAST OF THE DAY

Saints Nereus and Achilleus were eunuchs belonging to Saint Flavia
Domitilla (niece of St. Flavius Clemens), who were banished with her
to the isle of Pontia by Domitian - after he had executed St. Flavius
Clemens. They returned to Terracina, under Trajan, and were
beheaded. Their relics are kept with those of St. Flavia Domitilla, and
though her servants here on earth, they enjoy equal honor with her in
glory.

Saint Pancras was beheaded in Rome at fourteen years of age, in
304, for having professed his faith. The church and cemetery he was
buried in, which was named after him, was repaired in the fifth
century by Pope Symmachus, and in the seventh century, by Pope
Honorius I. St. Gregory of Tours, calls him the Avenger of Perjuries,
and says that by a perpetual miracle, God visibly punished false
oaths made before his relics. Pope Vitalian sent a portion of his relics
to King Oswi in 656. Italy, England, Italy and France abound with
churches bearing his name.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

If we have obtained the grace of God, none shall prevail against us,
but we shall be stronger than all who oppose us. -St. John Chrysostom

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TODAY IN HISTORY

254 Pope St. Stephen I begins his reign

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TODAY'S TIDBIT

The patristic period of Church history encompasses the first several
hundred years after the Resurrection. The theologians from this
period are called the Fathers of the Church because of the lasting
contribution made to Church doctrine.

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INTENTION FOR THE DAY

Please pray for all who have died recently.

The Word Among Us

Monday, May 12, 2003

Meditation
Acts 11:1-18

This Pentecost happened suddenly, while Peter was speaking with a gathering of Gentiles who had not yet been baptized or received instruction in the Jewish law. Peter later reported to the other apostles that he watched with amazement as “the Holy Spirit fell upon them just as it had upon us at the beginning” (Acts 11:15). After that, he baptized them without delay!

This was a new and radical course of action because up to this point, everyone had assumed that following Christ also meant following Jewish law. However, through a vision, the Holy Spirit had prepared Peter to take a different approach (Acts 11:5-10). Thus, when the other apostles and disciples called him to account for receiving non-Jews into the church, Peter overcame their objections so that they, too, glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted life-giving repentance” (11:18)!

It no doubt took some time for the Jewish Christians to understand the full implications of Peter’s action. It required not only a lot of theological reflection and discussion, but a radical faith and trust in the Holy Spirit’s leading. Peter showed the way. His docility and obedience to the Spirit’s prompting set the stage for a new work of grace for bringing Jews and Gentiles together as one in Christ.

The same Holy Spirit is at work in the church today, half a century after Pope John XXIII prayed for a new Pentecost. Now as a new millennium unfolds, we are in a new season of evangelization, spiritual renewal, and ecumenical cooperation. How greatly we need Peter’s docility and obedience to the Spirit! May we follow in his footsteps and demonstrate the same openness to the new ways in which God chooses to work today.

“Lord, open my heart to the new ways you are working in the world. May I never lose sight of your Spirit.”

One Bread, One Body

<< Monday, May 12, 2003 >>

Sts. Nereus & Achilleus
St. Pancras

Acts 11:1-18

Psalm 42

John 10:1-10

View Readings

STEAL, SLAUGHTER, DESTROY

“The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy.” —John 10:10

During this Easter season, the risen Jesus is raising millions from the death of sin into the new life of the Spirit. The devil is futilely attempting to defend against God’s great resurrection-offensive. He is trying to re-occupy the empty tomb with unrepentant sinners and disbelievers in the risen Christ. Don’t let the devil hold you captive in the tomb.

Satan begins by stealing. If you let him, he steals your prayer-time, your faith in God’s word, your sexual innocence, and your family life. At this point, you are under great pressure and not in close communication with God.

Satan’s next step is to slaughter; that is, kill you. He tries to make you one of the “living dead” (1 Jn 3:14; Rv 3:1) by tempting you to fall into serious sin (1 Jn 5:16). At this point, you must repent or something much worse will befall you (Jn 5:14).

Finally, Satan will destroy you by the second death (Rv 2:11; 20:6, 14; 21:8). You will be damned, forever separated from God (2 Thes 1:9).

Don’t let Satan ruin your life and eternity. Accept Jesus as risen Lord and good Shepherd that you “might have life and have it to the full” (Jn 10:10).

Prayer: Jesus, may Satan be a stranger to me whose voice I do not obey (Jn 10:5).

Promise: “As I began to address them the Holy Spirit came upon them, just as It had upon us at the beginning.” —Acts 11:15

Praise: St. Pancras was martyred at the age of fourteen. Accused of being a Christian, he believed and therefore spoke of his faith in Jesus, knowing that Jesus would raise him up (see 2 Cor 4:13-14).

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