Month: May 2020

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Mother’s Day 2020

Mom with three children

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Fifth Sunday of Easter Mass Readings

First Reading: Acts 6:1-7
Responsorial: Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:4-9
Gospel: John 14:1-12

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051020.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Peace be with you on this fifth Sunday of Easter, and a great big shout out to moms everywhere on this Mother’s Day! Even if today is not Mother’s Day in your culture, I think we can all agree that we don’t need a special occasion to lift up mothers everywhere both our own mothers and the mothers of our children!

I think so much about our world today is geared toward the individual. As Mycroft says in Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows, “he’s all me, me, me, isn’t he?”

But moms are different, aren’t they? A mom opens her heart and her life to her children – doesn’t matter whether they are natural or adopted. It’s the ideal image of service that we see described in our first reading from Acts. I know that reading is the first evidence of deacons in the early church, but what better role models for the clergy than the moms in our lives?

And it doesn’t matter whether she works and travels all the time or is a stay-at-home-mom, whether it’s an extravagant manor or a simple tent on the side of the road, moms put their hearts into creating a home. Moms create a space for us to live and to work. In fact, a home becomes such a comfortable place for many of us. In a way, it’s easy to relate the work our moms do to make a home to what Jesus says, “In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places,” (John 14:2).

That feeling we have when we walk through the door of our home – whether our current home or our childhood home – is joy. It’s not really an emotion. It’s just for want of a better term that feeling deep within us that means we are totally comfortable, totally at peace. It’s easy to associate our moms with the living stones we hear about in the second reading today from First Peter. It’s their presence that makes the house a home.

What does it mean to live with the Father? Thomas asks Jesus in today’s Gospel, “Master, we do not know where you are going; how can we know the way?” (John 14:5) I don’t think it’s hard to blame Thomas for asking Jesus this question. For many of us, trying to wrap our minds around what heaven will be like is difficult.

But I think that feeling we have when go home – that feeling of welcome and comfort – might be like what heaven feels like. And of course, that makes sense, doesn’t it? If God is love, then that all encompassing feeling of love that our moms wrap around us is God.

Our moms work doesn’t end there. How many moms pray their children home? Look at St. Augustine? He was quite the playboy. But his mother, St. Monica, constantly prayed for his conversion. It probably didn’t happen as quickly as she would have liked, but in the end, Augustine converted and eventually became one of the most important leaders in the history of the Christian faith.

That’s what mom’s do, isn’t it? More often than not in too many households, it is mom who keeps the faith. And like Mary our spiritual mother, it is mom who leads us to Jesus Christ. That’s important because Jesus says, “No one comes to the Father except through me,” (John 14:6). Moms are the backbone of our faith leading us to Jesus who in turn leads us to the Father.

We have so much to be thankful for in all the moms around us. We may never fully appreciate the great blessing of God for a creating both men and women – equal in dignity, but with complementary natures. Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there. May God bless moms everywhere, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Homework! Having been nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and an Act of Spiritual Communion, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. Do not let your hearts be troubled. How can I be force for calm and peace in a world changed by COVID-19?
  2. There are many dwelling places in my Father’s house. Where do I feel the presence of God most strongly? Where do I pray most often?
  3. I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life. No one comes to the Father other than through me. Do I help lead others to God through my words and actions in all my interactions – in speech, writing, and on social media?

I think doing our homework will help us refocus our lives of discipleship as we emerge from sheltering in place. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Art for this post: PUBLIC DOMAIN. Migrant Mother 02 by Dorothea Lange, 1936. This image is a work of an employee of the United States Farm Security Administration or Office of War Information domestic photographic units, taken as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, the image is in the public domain in the United States. Original caption: “Destitute peapickers in California; a 32-year-old mother of seven children. February 1936.”

References:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
2. Keating, Daniel. First and Second Peter, Jude. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
3. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
4. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
5. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Christ the mediator and fullness, 65-66, 846
2. Believing in Jesus, 151, 1698, 2614, 2466
3. Jesus’ mysteries, 516
4. The Church as a spiritual temple, 756, 1179
5. The Church as the people of God, 781-86
6. A chosen race, a royal priesthood, 782, 803, 1141, 1174, 1269, 1322
7. Heaven, 1025-27
8. Common priesthood of the faithful, 1141, 1268, 1546
9. Deacons, 1554, 1569-71
10. Jesus teaches us how to pray, 2614, 2746-51, 2825

Fifth Sunday of Easter
Mass readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/051020.cfm
Lectionary: 52

First Reading
ACTS 6:1-7
As the number of disciples continued to grow,
the Hellenists complained against the Hebrews
because their widows
were being neglected in the daily distribution.
So the Twelve called together the community of the disciples and said,
“It is not right for us to neglect the word of God to serve at table.
Brothers, select from among you seven reputable men,
filled with the Spirit and wisdom,
whom we shall appoint to this task,
whereas we shall devote ourselves to prayer
and to the ministry of the word.”
The proposal was acceptable to the whole community,
so they chose Stephen, a man filled with faith and the Holy Spirit,
also Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas,
and Nicholas of Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
They presented these men to the apostles
who prayed and laid hands on them.
The word of God continued to spread,
and the number of the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly;
even a large group of priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

Responsorial
Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19
R. (22) Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Exult, you just, in the LORD;
praise from the upright is fitting.
Give thanks to the LORD on the harp;
with the ten-stringed lyre chant his praises.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Upright is the word of the LORD,
and all his works are trustworthy.
He loves justice and right;
of the kindness of the LORD the earth is full.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.
See, the eyes of the LORD are upon those who fear him,
upon those who hope for his kindness,
To deliver them from death
and preserve them in spite of famine.
R. Lord, let your mercy be on us, as we place our trust in you.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
1 PT 2:4-9
Beloved:
Come to him, a living stone, rejected by human beings
but chosen and precious in the sight of God,
and, like living stones,
let yourselves be built into a spiritual house
to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices
acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
For it says in Scripture:
Behold, I am laying a stone in Zion,
a cornerstone, chosen and precious,
and whoever believes in it shall not be put to shame.
Therefore, its value is for you who have faith, but for those without faith:
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,
and
A stone that will make people stumble,
and a rock that will make them fall.
They stumble by disobeying the word, as is their destiny.

You are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, a people of his own,
so that you may announce the praises” of him
who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

Alleluia verse
John 14:6
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the way, the truth and the life, says the Lord;
no one comes to the Father, except through me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 14:1-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Do not let your hearts be troubled.
You have faith in God; have faith also in me.
In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.
If there were not,
would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you?
And if I go and prepare a place for you,
I will come back again and take you to myself,
so that where I am you also may be.
Where I am going you know the way.”
Thomas said to him,
“Master, we do not know where you are going;
how can we know the way?”
Jesus said to him, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.”

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ATC 15 The Bishop

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Pope Francis said, “Bishops are the pastors of the People of God. Follow them with trust and courage.”

He is risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! Thank you for joining me for All Things Catholic. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together we are going to explore what it means to be Catholic. If you have a question that you’d like me to address, please use the comment form on the website, or by email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org. I have some good news! I have been accepted to the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching program at Aquinas Institute in St. Louis! Praise God! As I prepare to begin my studies, All Things Catholic will move to the first Wednesday of the month and will be supplemented with occasional bonus episodes. Of course, I will still post the weekend edition every Sunday since it closely correlates with my doctoral studies.

On today’s episode, we’re going to talk a little bit about bishops. The bishops have taken a bit of beating in recent years, especially in the light of the clergy sex abuse scandal. Who are they and what do they do?

While the role of bishops is not restricted to the Catholic faith, the Catholic bishop has often been the focus of novelists and included in many stories, like Bishop Myriel in Les Misérables who gives Jean Valjean a new start, or the sinister Cardinal Richelieu of The Three Musketeers who desires power for himself, or the calculating Cardinal Wolsey of the Tudors, or scheming Bishop Aringarosa of The Da Vinci Code. But who are the bishops really? Who are these guardians of our ancient tradition? That’s our focus today.

The role of the bishop is rooted in the early life of the church. We briefly touched on the topic of “apostolic succession” in the All Things Catholic episode 1, “On What Authority.” As a quick refresher, Peter announced that the “office” left empty by Judas needed to be filled, (Acts 1:20-21). Acts also clearly describes the authority of the disciples at Jerusalem as the great evangelical task in human history begins. Paul, who is an apostle by the hand of Jesus, submits to the will of the disciples at Jerusalem. Acts also describes the role of the Council of Jerusalem in resolving the circumcision controversy (Acts 15). Later Paul directs Titus to appoint “elders” in every town (Titus 1:5). Clearly there is a hierarchy at work in Scripture. <1>

Now I know some of you will say that my description of authority is partially true. It is true that Scripture describes some level of authority, but the fact is the duties which today are assigned to bishops, priests and deacons are not distinct in Scripture – and you would be correct. Some of these roles and even the language used to describe these “offices” seems at time interchangeable to some extent.

But for a variety of factors, the distinct roles of bishops, priests and deacons is much more clear end of the 90s and well into the third century. We find proofs for this development in the writings of Clement of Rome, who died in 100 A.D. (1 Clem 42; 44:1), in the Didache which was a collection of teachings – perhaps the first catechism. It’s full title is The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles. We find additional writings in the works of Ignatius of Antioch and in the Apostolic Tradition written by Hippolytus of Rome, who died around 236 A.D.

The point is that the idea of hierarchy – of leadership roles in the church – is absolutely biblical and the specific title of bishop clearly emerges from the early church.

Now, Vatican II gives us two key documents that help define the role of the bishop in the modern world. Those documents include the Lumen Gentium or the Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, and Christus Dominus or the Decree on the Pastoral Office of the Bishops in the Church.

Now, there’s lots of technical information out there, like the qualifications for a bishop, how bishops are selected, etc. But here are the basics. The Pope, who himself is a bishop, appoints the bishops of the world. There are archbishops, bishops, coadjutor bishops, and auxiliary bishops. The Church has organized the world into geographic areas called provinces. The province is lead by an archbishop. The province is further subdivided into geographic units called dioceses. The diocese is lead by a bishop. While the archbishop leads the province, he does not have authority over the bishops except in questions of faith and morals. The bishops are under the direct authority of the Pope. For this podcast, I’ll use the generic term “diocese” to refer to both archdioceses and dioceses, and I’ll use the generic term “bishop” to refer to all types of bishops.

Some bishops are stretched pretty thin either because of the large numbers of Catholics in their dioceses or a large geographic area of their diocese. In these situations, the bishops might ask the Pope to send appoint auxiliary bishops to assist them. The Pope does not always fulfill these requests. The Pope might also appoint coadjutor bishops. Sometimes, but not always, the Pope will send a coadjutor bishop to a diocese, usually when there is a forecasted or planned transition like a retirement. The coadjutor serves along side the bishop to begin the process of transition.

As we discussed earlier, the bishop is a living successor to apostles. A bishop is responsible for all of the souls in his diocese – not just the Catholic ones and not just the Christian ones! And the bishop has the fulness of ordination. What does that mean? That means that the bishop is the only person in the diocese who can exercise all seven sacraments. For example, only a bishop may ordain priests and deacons.

Now, can a bishop do everything by himself? No, of course not. The Apostles couldn’t do it by themselves. That’s why in Acts chapter 6 they appointed the first seven deacons. And the bishops today can’t do everything by themselves, that’s why they ordain priests and deacons. Now this is important if not obvious. There can be no priests or deacons without bishops. The bishop, who has the fulness of ordination, shares some of sacred duties when he ordains priests and the bishop shares some of his sacred duties when he ordains deacons. There are no lone rangers in ministry. So, whenever you encounter a priest or a deacon while they exercise their ministry, you encounter the power of Christ flowing through Peter and the Apostles, and down through our bishops today through the priest or the deacon.

The Second Vatican council describes the three primary roles of bishops as sanctifiers, teachers and governors. As sanctifiers, the bishop is responsible for the sacraments, and we just described how the bishop ordains men to the priesthood and diaconate to assure public access to the sacraments. As teacher, the bishop is responsible to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with the people and to teach the beliefs of the Catholic Church. As governor, the bishops is responsible for administering the diocese, which includes managing finances and personnel, and overseeing the myriad of Catholic organizations and initiatives at work in the diocese. <2>

The bishops wear many hats. But the key and most important role of the bishop is what Pope Francis described as a pastor. Our pastors should lead is in the worship of God. A pastor is like a firmly rooted rock protecting the People of God against the raging waters of modernity and relativism. A pastor looks out for lost sheep and should lead our evangelization effort for the conversion of souls. Our pastors should lead us in service to the poor. <3>

I hope this primer in the role of the bishop has been helpful. Now, go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to All Things Catholic. If you have a question you’d like me to discuss, please use the comment form on the website, or send me an email to rudy@deaconrudysnotes.org.

This episode was produced by deacon rudy’s notes. Our theme music was composed by Silent Partner. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m your host, Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join us again next time and don’t forget to check out the weekend edition where we break open the Word. He is RISEN! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Notes:
<1> See Deacon Rudy Villarreal, “On What Authority,” https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/atc-1-on-what-authority/
<2> Fichter, Stephen J., et al, Catholic Bishops in the United States: Church Leadership in the Third Millennium, Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019.
<3> See Bishop Robert Barron on the Three Essential Elements of the Church, https://youtu.be/O9m-pNsFPV0.

References:
1. Fichter, Stephen J., et al. Catholic Bishops in the United States: Church Leadership in the Third Millennium. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2019.
2. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
3. Vatican Council II. Christus Dominus. Vatican.va. 28 October 1965. Accessed 8 May 2020. http://w2.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19651028_christus-dominus_en.html.
4. Vatican Council II. Lumen Gentium. Vatican.va. 21 November 1964. Accessed 8 May 2020. https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19641121_lumen-gentium_en.html.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Peter and his successors, 85

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Jesus the Sheepfold Gate

sheep standing in front of cattle guard

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Fourth Sunday of Easter Mass Readings

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First Reading: Acts 2:14A, 36-41
Responsorial: Psalm 23: 1-3A, 3B-6
Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:20B-25
Gospel: John 10:1-10

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050320.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Happy Easter! I hope this podcast finds you in good health on this Fourth Sunday of Easter. It is exciting to hear that various businesses and organizations will begin to slowly reopen. I know there are many people who are eager to get back to work. I encourage everyone to pray for that everything goes well and that there is no resurgence of the virus.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I am the gate,” (John 10:9). He tells us that the only way in is through the gate – through Jesus. Now that makes sense, doesn’t it? We Christians believe that the path to salvation is through Christ Jesus.

One of the fascinating things about this time of sheltering at home is that we’ve had fewer outside distractions. Most of us can’t go the movies or concerts or out to eat or to pubs or to go see a game. But I realize of course that we aren’t all living like monks – especially with a house or flat filled with our families or roommates. Instead of this being downtime, for many of us we’ve just downshifted a bit.

But hopefully you’ve given yourself some time to think about your life – about where God is calling you. Are you where you imagined you’d be – where you thought God was calling you to be? If not, why? What kind of things have distracted you from achieving your goals?

You know, there are many times in my life – more than I’d care to admit – when I feel like I’m waking up from a dream. I look back and I’m floored by how much time slipped away. Hadn’t I told myself I was going to do this or accomplish that years ago? Where did the time go?

How many things distract us in life? Oh sure, on the extremes it could be a life of debauchery, but I think there are many “ordinary” time-suckers around us, like online gaming or social media apps. Of course, there’s television or I guess these days it’s binge-watching streamed content. Whatever it is for you, have you ever been surprised by how much time you lost to something like this?

Do any of those things – those time suckers – help you feel more alive, that is, do any of them help you feel like you’re drawing closer to God?

The idea that Jesus is the gate – the path to salvation resonates – or I hope it resonates – with all Christians. But isn’t it funny how many distractions – the busyness of our lives has maybe distracted us from being the person God made us to be – distracted us from becoming the best version of ourselves?

I think these distractions are not only obstacles, but they are actually alternative gates that we go through – either deliberately or having been tricked into. These gates offer some form of pleasure, happiness, joy, or peace. Indeed, many of us are so convinced that we are on the right path that we are stunned or frustrated because we aren’t at peace. We’re always tired or restless or filled with angst.

My brothers and sisters, those feelings which are often associated with the “midlife crisis” are a telltale sign of spiritual desolation. But it’s not too late! Christ offers us the hope of true spiritual consolation. We need to swallow our pride, confess our sins and accept Jesus Christ as our only savior! Peter tells us in the first reading from Acts that in choosing Christ, we save ourselves from a corrupt generation, (Acts 2:40).

Now this generation will not take too kindly to us turning our attention to Jesus Christ – even less if we dare talk with people about Jesus. They want us pick a side in the hedonistic political struggles of our age: social decadence or wealthy indulgence. There doesn’t seem to be any middle ground. That’s why we are told in our second reading from First Peter that we will suffer because of our faith. But that’s okay because Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light!

As Bishop Barron says, “This is the power and message of the cross, that dynamic into which we the baptized have been drawn. Redemptive suffering is what Jesus did on the cross: putting up with suffering for doing what is right.” My brothers and sisters, if Jesus was willing to suffer for you and me, couldn’t we risk a little suffering to follow him?

Homework! Having been nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and an Act of Spiritual Communion, I encourage you to reflect on the following questions.

  1. The shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. How can I discern God’s call for me? What is God leading me to do?
  2. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers. What voices call me away from Christ? What temptations do I need to run away from?
  3. I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly. When do I feel most alive? What can draw me closer to God in those moments?

I think doing our homework will help us refocus our lives of discipleship as we emerge from sheltering in place. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

Art for this post: CC BY 2.0. Sheep in front of a cattle grid, by SKITTZITILBY, Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Sheep_in_front_of_a_cattle_grid.jpg.

References:
1. Barron, Robert. “Fourth Sunday of Easter.” Message to Deacon Rudy Villarreal, et al. May 3, 2020. E-mail.
2. Keating, Daniel. First and Second Peter, Jude. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2011.
3. Kurz, William S. Acts of the Apostles. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2013.
4. Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
5. Poecking, David. “4th Sunday in Easter – May 3, 2020.” Homiletic & Pastoral Review, May 1, 2020. Accessed May 2, 2020, https://www.hprweb.com/2020/05/homilies-for-may-2020/.
6. The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm
1. Conversion, faith, and baptism, 14, 189, 1064, 1226, 1236, 1253-55, 1427-29
2. Calling on the name of Jesus, 432, 2666
3. Jesus is Lord, 446-51, 746
4. Pope and bishops as shepherds, 553, 857, 861, 881, 896, 1558, 1561, 1568, 1574
5. Culpability for Jesus’ death, 591, 597-98 5.
6. Jesus’ self-offering, 606-9
7. Christ an example in bearing wrongs, 618, 2447
8. Jesus at God’s right hand, 659 7.
9. Prophecies of the Holy Spirit, 715
10. Christ the Shepherd and Gate, 754, 764, 2665
11. Priests as shepherds, 874, 1120, 1465, 1536, 1548-1551, 1564, 2179, 2686
12. Repentance and baptism, 1226, 1240, 1427
13. Human equality and solidarity, 1934-42 12.
14. Slavery prohibited, 2414 13.
15. Good of work, 2427-29

Fourth Sunday of Easter
Mass readings: http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050320.cfm
Lectionary: 49

First Reading
ACTS 2:14A, 36-41
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
“Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and they asked Peter and the other apostles,
“What are we to do, my brothers?”
Peter said to them,
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is made to you and to your children
and to all those far off,
whomever the Lord our God will call.”
He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,
“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
Those who accepted his message were baptized,
and about three thousand persons were added that day.

Responsorial
Psalm 23: 1-3A, 3B4, 5, 6
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Alleluia.
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.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Alleluia.
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.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Alleluia.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Alleluia.
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.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or: R. Alleluia.

Second Reading
1 PT 2:20B-25
Beloved:
If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good,
this is a grace before God.
For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

When he was insulted, he returned no insult;
when he suffered, he did not threaten;
instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,
so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep,
but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Alleluia verse
John 10:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel
John 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 the shepherd 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,
the Pharisees 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.”