1st Reading – Acts 13:14, 43-52
The Gospel of Luke and the Acts of the Apostles form a single historical and literary
unit. The gospel starts with the birth of Jesus and traces the salvation history of Israel,
displaying the promises which had been made to her and ending with the fulfillment of
those covenant promises in the sacrificial death of Jesus. Acts starts with the birth of the
Church and displays the covenant promises which have been made to her. All members of the New Israel, the Church, share in the inheritance which is promised.
After the initial establishment of the Church in Jerusalem, it spread outward with
Philip going to Samaria and Peter going to Lydia and Joppa and then to Antioch.
Saint Paul traveled more widely than the other disciples, undertaking three
missionary journeys, each more extensive than the previous one, and then a final journey to Rome to join Peter.
Today’s reading is from Saint Paul’s first missionary journey.
2nd Reading – Revelation 7:9, 14-17
Last week we heard Saint John describing his vision of the heavenly liturgy where
he saw the Lamb of God in the Holy of Holies in His perpetual offering to God, the heavenly offering of Jesus Himself which we join at every Mass. Today we join Saint John as he again views this heavenly liturgy and describes the Church in heaven (what we call the Church Triumphant) as it glorifies God.
Gospel – John 10:27-30
This Sunday is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” In ancient times in Palestine,
sheep and goats were raised for wool and milk, and usually not for meat. The sheep were somewhat like our pets to the shepherd. He could call them with a distinctive whistle or voice and they would come for him and him only. The shepherd provided everything for the sheep: food, water, protection, assurance. The sheep were not herded or driven, they were led. The shepherd would start out and call them, and they followed.
The setting for today’s reading is the Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah) and Jesus
is within the temple precincts (Solomon’s porch) and is addressing the people of Jerusalem. The people have asked Him to speak plainly and answer the question “Are you the Messiah?”. Jesus then answered “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.”
