[Salvation]

Marriage=One Man and One Woman 'Til Death Do Us Part

Daily Marriage Tip for April 26, 2015:

“Beloved, we are God’s children now.” (1 Jn 3:2) Young or old, we are always God’s children, His beloved sons and daughters. Because He loved us first, we can love others. Ask Him today for the grace to love your spouse and children.

[Salvation]

Sunday Scripture Study

Fourth Sunday of Easter  - B

April 26, 2015

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Opening Prayer  

First Reading: Acts 4:8-12

Psalm: 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28-29

Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-2

Gospel Reading: John 10:11-18

• This Sunday’s gospel reading is closely tied to the episode of the healing of a blind man in the preceding chapter (John 9ff). Jesus’ opponents steadfastly refuse to believe he has performed this miracle, probably because it would mean accepting his authority. As a result, they remain blind guides to the people (John 9: 39-41; Matthew 15:12-14).

• In contrast to these leaders, Jesus presents himself as the Good Shepherd (this discourse actually starts at verse 10:1). The theme of God as a shepherd was very important in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 34; Genesis 48:15; 49:24; Micah 7:14; Psalm 23:1-4; 80:1, etc). King David, composer of Psalm 23, was the Old Testament proto-type of the shepherd (see 1 Sam 17:32-37), as was Moses and his successor, Joshua (Numbers 27:15-23).

• As the Good Shepherd, Jesus will watch over his own, protecting them and keeping them united as one flock attentive to only his own voice (verse 16). Ironically, immediately following this discourse (verses 20-21), Jesus’ opponents show a marked lack of unity among themselves.

 

QUESTIONS:

• In the 1^st Reading, how many times is the “name” of Jesus invoked? What power is there in his name?

• In the 2^nd Reading, what is the basis of our great dignity in being Christians? Where did this great dignity come from? How and why is this sometimes hard to see in our lives? What, ultimately, is our destiny in Christ?

• Who is Jesus speaking to in today’s Gospel Reading (John 9:40; 10:6-7)? How does the story in chapter 9 flow into Jesus discourse about the Good Shepherd in chapter 10?

• What do the sheep, shepherd, sheepfold and stranger represent? Who are the “thieves and robbers” (Jeremiah 2:8; 10:21; 23:1-4; Ezekiel 34:2ff)? How is Jesus unlike them?

• How do the sheep respond to the shepherd? How does this relate to the Pharisees’ difficulty in accepting Jesus (chapter 9; 10:19-39)?

• Who are the other sheep Jesus must bring also (Ephesians 2:11-22)? What characterizes his flock?

• What final claim does Jesus make (verses 17-18)? Why do his listeners respond as they do? How would you have responded?

• What was the turning point for you in terms of hearing “God’s voice” and responding? How do you discern his voice from all the voices that vie for your attention?

• How does it make you feel to think of God as caring for you as the Good Shepherd?

Closing Prayer

Catechism of the Catholic Church:  §§ 60, 609, 614, 649, 753-754

 

He did what he said he would do: He gave his life for his sheep, and he gave his body and blood in the Sacrament to nourish with his flesh the sheep he had redeemed (John 6:51).   ~St. Gregory