Sunday Reflection by Mike – 11 May 2025

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Also Read: Mass Readings for 11 May 2025 Sunday Reflection by Maryanne – 11 May 2025

“[W]e now turn to the Gentiles”

In this scene from the first reading, St. Paul describes the general Christian movement that began within Israel and moved outward to the rest of the world. This is sometimes misunderstood as a kind of plan B. This scene gives that impression like St. Paul, and previously Jesus, only went to the Gentiles because the people they really wanted said no. This is a misunderstanding because it fails to recognize the original plan God had going back to Abraham, which was that the covenant that began locally with him would eventually become a worldwide blessing. This movement from Israel, which included many faithful members like the Blessed Mother, Mary Magdalene, the Apostles and St. Paul, to the rest of the world is the fulfillment of that promise. It might be an alternative in the immediate sense, but from the standpoint of Providence this was always part of the plan.

“We are his people, the sheep of his flock”

Tying this to the first reading, there is an ironic inversion here as this line was originally spoken exclusively by Israel. Now, this line is prayed by more outside ethnic Judaism than inside and will continue to be prayed by the Gentiles into all eternity. It also shows another sheep and shepherd image that was so popular throughout the Old Testament, which is why it was so useful for Jesus’s own ministry. 

“[A] vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue.”

St. John here is describing exactly what St. Paul and Barnabas were aiming for in the first reading and what God had promised to Abraham all the way back in Genesis. Even though we mark Abraham as the explicit calling out by God, going back to Adam shows us that “humanity,” which is what the name Adam means, has always been the plan. Even when one person, or one group, or one Church, is singled out by God, it is always for the sake of others. This is so those “others” do not remain “others,” but become part of “us,” which is only found in Christ’s Body. 

“My sheep”

So much attention is paid to the sheep when it comes to Good Shepherd Sunday. This is not wrong, but one cannot neglect the “my” that possesses and cares for these sheep. This is why the previous highlights in this reflection are so important. Who exactly are “my sheep” according to Christ. We have ample evidence that it includes those from “every nation, race, people and tongue,” who would be considered “Gentiles” according to those inside the group. These are “his people,” his “flock.” Certainty that we are part of that flock only comes from seeking out those who are considered outside.