Daily Reflection – Apr 22, 2018
Sunday 22 April 2018
First Reading: ACTS 4:8-12
Responsorial Psalm:
The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
PS 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29
Second Reading: 1 JN 3:1-2
Gospel Reading: JN 10:11-18
Today’s Note: Fourth Sunday of Easter
Gospel Reading:
Jesus said:
“I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why the Father loves me,
because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.
No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father.”
Reflection:
A good deed done . . . (Acts 4:9)
Peter had just healed a beggar. The people who witnessed the miracle were amazed, but the rulers were offended because Peter had said that it was Jesus who healed the man—the same Jesus whom they had crucified. No wonder they arrested him!
Jesus wants us to do good deeds each day. He wants us to go out and help people who are in need. As Pope Francis said, “What matters for Jesus is, above all, reaching out to save those far off, healing the wounds of the sick and restoring everyone to God’s family” (Homily, February 15, 2015).
As our Holy Father often reminds us, there is an intimate relationship between our being filled with God’s love and our desire to do good deeds for people. The more we are filled with God’s love, the more we will want to give back to him—with gifts of praise and gifts of deeds.
Unlike Peter, it’s doubtful that we will be arrested and put in jail for doing good deeds in the name of Jesus. But like Peter, our good deeds will have the same effect on people today that they had on the people back then. They will melt people’s hearts. They will help them believe that God’s love is real and is powerful. They may spark some opposition, but not even that will diminish the power of your witness.
So pray each day and ask Jesus to fill you with his love. His love is the catalyst that can move you to love and serve those around you. Then be as generous as you can. Be on the lookout for opportunities.
Jesus wants us to do good deeds. We may not have Peter’s courage, but we all know how to do random acts of love and kindness. So start today. Make it a point to be cordial, helpful, generous, and compassionate today. Your acts of love are infectious. Who knows? They may even draw some people closer to God!
“Lord, fill me with your love. Inspire me to do good deeds for others.”
