Daily Mass Readings – Saturday, 8 April 2028

21 And thou shalt say to them: Thus saith the Lord God: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from the midst of the nations whither they are gone: and I will gather them on every side, and will bring them to their own land.

22 And I will make them one nation in the land on the mountains of Israel, and one king shall be king over them all: and they shall no more be two nations, neither shall they be divided any more into two kingdoms.

23 Nor shall they be defiled any more with their idols, nor with their abominations, nor with all their iniquities: and I will save them out of all the places in which they have sinned, and I will cleanse them: and they shall be my people, and I will be their God.

24 And my servant David shall be king over them, and they shall have one shepherd: they shall walk in my judgments, and shall keep my commandments, and shall do them.

25 And they shall dwell in the land which I gave to my servant Jacob, wherein your fathers dwelt, and they shall dwell in it, they and their children, and their children’s children, for ever: and David my servant shall be their prince for ever.

26 And I will make a covenant of peace with them, it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will establish them, and will multiply them, and will set my sanctuary in the midst of them for ever.

27 And my tabernacle shall be with them: and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

28 And the nations shall know that I am the Lord the sanctifier of Israel, when my sanctuary shall be in the midst of them for ever.

R. (see 10d) The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.

10 Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the islands that are afar off, and say: He that scattered Israel will gather him: and he will keep him as the shepherd doth his flock.

R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.

11 For the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and delivered him out of the hand of one that was mightier than he.

12 And they shall come, and shall give praise in mount Sion: and they shall flow together to the good things of the Lord, for the corn, and wine, and oil, and the increase of cattle and herds.

R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.

13 Then shall the virgin rejoice in the dance, the young men and old men together: and I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them joyful after their sorrow.

R. The Lord will guard us, as a shepherd guards his flock.

31 Cast away from you all the crimes you have committed, says the LORD, and make for yourselves a new heart and a new spirit.

45 Many therefore of the Jews, who were come to Mary and Martha, and had seen the things that Jesus did, believed in him.

46 But some of them went to the Pharisees, and told them the things that Jesus had done.

47 The chief priests therefore, and the Pharisees, gathered a council, and said: What do we, for this man doth many miracles?

48 If we let him alone so, all will believe in him; and the Romans will come, and take away our place and nation.

49 But one of them, named Caiphas, being the high priest that year, said to them: You know nothing.

50 Neither do you consider that it is expedient for you that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.

51 And this he spoke not of himself: but being the high priest of that year, he prophesied that Jesus should die for the nation.

52 And not only for the nation, but to gather together in one the children of God, that were dispersed.

53 From that day therefore they devised to put him to death.

54 Wherefore Jesus walked no more openly among the Jews; but he went into a country near the desert, unto a city that is called Ephrem, and there he abode with his disciples.

55 And the pasch of the Jews was at hand; and many from the country went up to Jerusalem, before the pasch to purify themselves.

56 They sought therefore for Jesus; and they discoursed one with another, standing in the temple: What think you that he is not come to the festival day?

God’s promise is to gather what has been scattered and make his people one. Through the prophet, he speaks of cleansing, a new covenant of peace, one shepherd, and his dwelling in the midst of his people. The psalm gives this promise a tender image: the Lord guards his flock and turns mourning into joy. The call to cast away sin and receive a new heart shows that this gathering also involves conversion. God restores his people by drawing them back to himself.

In the Gospel, Caiaphas speaks from fear and political calculation, yet God’s purpose is greater than human intention: Jesus will die for the nation and gather into one the dispersed children of God. The Cross is therefore not a defeat of God’s plan, but the place where the Shepherd gives himself to bring his people together. Christ still gathers us when sin, resentment, or division pulls us apart. Receiving his mercy means allowing him to cleanse our hearts and make us instruments of peace, especially where unity is difficult. His promise remains sure: the Lord guards his flock and dwells among his people.

Lord God, Shepherd of your people, gather us beneath the care of your Son. Cleanse us from the sins that divide us, and give us the new heart and spirit you promise. Through the sacrifice of Jesus, draw together all who are scattered and teach us to seek peace rather than protect our own interests. Help us to recognize your presence among your people and to remain faithful to your commandments. When sorrow or conflict weighs upon us, comfort us and make our lives a sign of the unity you desire. May Christ reign in our hearts and guide us always. Amen.