Fourth Sunday of Easter
Also Read: Mass Readings for 30 April 2023 Homily for 30 April 2023 – Sunday
First Reading: Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (38)
We have been given seemingly simple steps to life in Christ; but are we humble enough to accept it? At the sacrament of reconciliation, do we truly repent of our sins? Or do we repeat them? When we receive baptism with faith, we also receive the Holy Spirit. But it is our hard-heartedness that prevents the working of the Holy Spirit within us.
We pray to St. Peter today, to intercede for us. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Responsorial Psalm: Psalms 23: 1-6
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in right paths for his name’s sake. (1-3)
Amen!
Second Reading: First Peter 2: 20b-25
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. (24-25)
By His wounds, we have been healed! Amen, Alleluia! We are his sheep and the thought of resting our heads on his bosom as we go to bed each night is very reassuring! Christ is the guardian of our souls, how blessed are we! Amen, Alleluia!
Gospel: John 10: 1-10
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.” (3-5)
Thank You, Lord Jesus Christ, for being our one true shepherd and guarding us always! Permit us to remain in your presence all the days of our lives. As the psalmist exclaims “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff—
they comfort me.” (Ps 23:4) The times may be tough but we must remember that it is the Lord’s rod that comforts us!
In Jesus’ name, Amen! Alleluia!
