4th Sunday of Easter 

 

My dear parishioners,

 

God is Good!!!  All the time!!!  And all the time!!!  God is Good!!!

 

Peter and John had healed a lame man. For this, the two apostles and the lame man are taken into custody and held overnight. The next day they stand before the high council, which included the high priest and members of the priestly family. The council wishes to know the authority by which the apostles say and do such things.

 

The Lord had prepared the apostles for such a moment. Jesus had said that they would be brought before rulers and authorities. He also told them not to be anxious about how they should respond because the Holy Spirit would teach them “at that very hour” what they should say (Lk 12:11–12). The Lord’s words are confirmed in this reading. Peter is filled with the Holy Spirit and boldly addresses the council. If the council wants to know the source of their authority, then they should know it comes to them “in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene.” The council had Jesus crucified, but they could not undo God’s saving plan. God raised Jesus from the dead. It is by the power of the risen Lord that the once lame man now stands healed before their very eyes.

 

Peter quotes a familiar verse (Ps 118:22). The builders of earthly projects may set aside God’s way. But God’s way is the most significant foundation for any project. God’s plan will prevail. Even if they reject this stone, it will still become the cornerstone that must one day be recognized. The Holy Spirit speaking through Peter reveals to the high council that Jesus is that foundation stone of salvation. They may reject Jesus and his servants, but their rejection will not alter God’s plan of salvation.

 

Jesus the Good Shepherd. The emphasis of the Gospel passage is obviously on Jesus as the good shepherd. Much of what Jesus says about himself as the good shepherd responds to the criticism levelled against the incompetent shepherds by the prophet Ezekiel (Ez ch 34). Key to Jesus’ teaching about the good shepherd is the shepherd’s willingness to lay down his life for his sheep. This is obviously a reference to the death of Jesus; because of his willingness to die for his sheep, he is the model and true shepherd.

 

Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved

 

Sincerely in Christ,

Fr. Aloysius