READ
First reading: Acts 13:14, 43-52
Second reading: Rev 7:9, 14b-17
Gospel: Jn 10:27-30
UNDERSTAND | By Father Greg Friedman, OFM
As a youngster in the 1950’s serving Mass in my home parish, I was always excited when a Franciscan priest who grew up in our neighborhood and became a foreign missionary, came home for a visit. I got a chance to talk with him and hear his stories of different lands and peoples. He inspired me to consider the priesthood, and a vocation to the Franciscans.
But I never actually became a foreign missionary. My Christian life—like that of most Catholics I know—is usually a lot less glamorous. My “mission field” is the office where I work each day and the parish I help out at on Sundays. Your “mission field” may be your home and family, your daily work, or school.
So today when we hear the exciting adventures of Paul and Barnabas in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles we may wonder: How can we answer the call from Jesus to “go out and preach to all nations”?
One way is to support the missionaries we may know personally by our prayers and financial help. We can also match their zeal in our own witness to Christ, sharing our faith with others where appropriate. Let our attitude be that of the Good Shepherd, whose care for us is proclaimed in today’s Gospel.
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DISCUSS | By Father Dan Kroger, OFM
According to the first reading, why were the Gentiles delighted to hear the teaching of Paul and Barnabas?
In this week’s second reading, who is the narrator who has a vision? What does he see? Who explains things to John?
In the Gospel, what does Jesus say about his relationship to his Father?
ACT | By Susan Hines-Brigger
This Sunday is Mother’s Day. Spend some time with either your own mother or Mother Mary. Bring flowers to them as a sign of appreciation for the life they have created. That could mean bringing them in person, placing them before a photo, or creating an arrangement around a statue of Mary, either in your house or out in your garden.
