Fourth Sunday of Easter
03 May 2020
| Second reading 1 Peter 2:20-25 |
|---|
If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
Gospel John 10:1-10
Jesus said to his disciples, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go 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.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them.
Again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go 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.
By Gary Tulabut
Are you granting the front liners’ simple requests from us?
What are they?
Staying at home. And along with it, social distancing, wearing face mask, and washing of hands. These are very basic, aren’t they?
Just stay home and you help save lives. If you have something else to give, better. But even if we cooperate by just staying home, it is already a big help.
You don’t have to sacrifice like the front liners to save lives. Just stay at home.
But why can’t everybody do it? I hope you can. And I hope you do.
If you do, what can you say about those who do not follow the rules? Are you annoyed with them? Irritated even?
You know what, at home, only my younger sister has a quarantine pass. When she goes out to buy necessities, she is all wrapped with extra clothes, complete with gloves, face mask and goggles. And she follows social distancing.
When she comes back home, we almost shower her with disinfectant alcohol. Then, her extra outer clothing goes straight to the washing machine. All the goods she buys are disinfected. We even wash fruits and vegetables with soap. And if we buy readily cooked food, we heat them again before consuming.
But look at what others do. They roam around as long as they can keep away from barangay officials and the police. Some gossip. Others gamble. Others drink alcoholic beverage. As if nothing serious is happening.
Worst, I heard from the news, there were some who just received amelioration and used the money for drugs.
But then, of course, there are those who really have nothing. They lost their jobs. Some are “no-work, no-pay” like me. Vendors cannot sell. Drivers are banned from transporting people. They don’t know where to get rice for the day. No money to buy medicine for mom and dad who are both seniors. And there are many other sad stories you will see on the news.
How can we tell them, “Stubborn! Hard-headed!”? Simple things you cannot do. Right?
Today in the second reading, St. Peter said in his first letter, “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.” (1 Peter 2:20)
St. Paul said to the Galatians, “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
You keep on doing the right things, but it seems nothing is happening?
Don’t give up. Just continue doing good even if the rest do not mind at all. Following the government, especially in times like these, shows what kind of sheep we are. Are we part of the good sheep, or are we the black sheep?
In his letter to the Romans, St Paul said,” Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves.
If you are among the privileged (those who have enough), these are the right times to obey the authorities, no matter what your political affiliations are. Don’t be a black sheep; be a good one.
And if you are more than privileged (you have more than enough), then why not be a shepherd to others and show that you really are part of the herd of the Good Shepherd?
Prayer
Father, forgive us for our stubbornness. Help us to be more considerate, compassionate and obedient for the sake of many. We continue to pray, please put an end to COVID-19 and grant complete and immediate healing to Your people. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
Are you granting the front liners’ simple requests from us?
What are they?
Staying at home. And along with it, social distancing, wearing face mask, and washing of hands. These are very basic, aren’t they?
Just stay home and you help save lives. If you have something else to give, better. But even if we cooperate by just staying home, it is already a big help.
You don’t have to sacrifice like the front liners to save lives. Just stay at home.
But why can’t everybody do it? I hope you can. And I hope you do.
If you do, what can you say about those who do not follow the rules? Are you annoyed with them? Irritated even?
You know what, at home, only my younger sister has a quarantine pass. When she goes out to buy necessities, she is all wrapped with extra clothes, complete with gloves, face mask and goggles. And she follows social distancing.
When she comes back home, we almost shower her with disinfectant alcohol. Then, her extra outer clothing goes straight to the washing machine. All the goods she buys are disinfected. We even wash fruits and vegetables with soap. And if we buy readily cooked food, we heat them again before consuming.
But look at what others do. They roam around as long as they can keep away from barangay officials and the police. Some gossip. Others gamble. Others drink alcoholic beverage. As if nothing serious is happening.
Worst, I heard from the news, there were some who just received amelioration and used the money for drugs.
But then, of course, there are those who really have nothing. They lost their jobs. Some are “no-work, no-pay” like me. Vendors cannot sell. Drivers are banned from transporting people. They don’t know where to get rice for the day. No money to buy medicine for mom and dad who are both seniors. And there are many other sad stories you will see on the news.
How can we tell them, “Stubborn! Hard-headed!”? Simple things you cannot do. Right?
Today in the second reading, St. Peter said in his first letter, “If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God.” (1 Peter 2:20)
St. Paul said to the Galatians, “Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up.” (Galatians 6:9)
You keep on doing the right things, but it seems nothing is happening?
Don’t give up. Just continue doing good even if the rest do not mind at all. Following the government, especially in times like these, shows what kind of sheep we are. Are we part of the good sheep, or are we the black sheep?
In his letter to the Romans, St Paul said,” Let every person be subordinate to the higher authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been established by God. Therefore, whoever resists authority opposes what God has appointed, and those who oppose it will bring judgment upon themselves.
If you are among the privileged (those who have enough), these are the right times to obey the authorities, no matter what your political affiliations are. Don’t be a black sheep; be a good one.
And if you are more than privileged (you have more than enough), then why not be a shepherd to others and show that you really are part of the herd of the Good Shepherd?
Prayer
Father, forgive us for our stubbornness. Help us to be more considerate, compassionate and obedient for the sake of many. We continue to pray, please put an end to COVID-19 and grant complete and immediate healing to Your people. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
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