4th Sunday of Easter
My dear parishioners,
God is Good!!! All the time!!! And all the time!!! God is Good!!!
Paul and Barnabas proclaimed the gospel in Antioch of Pisidia, a key city in the Roman province of Asia. Their initial experience was very positive; the congregation even invited them to return the next Sabbath. But during this second visit, the presence of so many gentiles creates a problem.
Paul and Barnabas will not be silenced by the resistance they encounter from some of the Jews, jealous that the apostles address their message to gentiles also. The apostles challenge their detractors to reflect on what they are doing. They appeal to a passage from the prophet Isaiah, anticipating that one day the ideal Israel, Servant of God, would become a light to the gentiles and thus extend the message of salvation to people from the ends of the earth (Is 49:6). Paul and Barnabas want their opponents to understand that this anticipated day has arrived. If they reject the message, they make themselves unworthy of eternal life.
By contrast, the gentiles accept the message and thereby prove worthy of the gift of eternal life. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, the word of God reaches even the territory surrounding Antioch. Still, some of God’s chosen people reject what they see happening and succeed in winning several prominent men and women to their side. As a result, Paul and Barnabas are expelled. But rejection of the apostles does not halt the spread of the gospel. Paul and Barnabas simply proceed to the next town, filled with joy. As they leave, they shake the dust from their feet, reminding those who resist that they are mortal and are putting in jeopardy the invitation to life extended to them.
Today’s Gospel requires a context for it to be adequately understood. That context is an ongoing dispute between Jesus and some of the Jewish religious officials. They accuse Jesus of keeping them in suspense regarding whether or not he is the Messiah. They demand that he speak plainly on this issue. Jesus claims that he has told them what they want to know, but they have refused to believe. He then uses the imagery of sheep and shepherd to confront further his Jewish opponents.
Jesus uses shepherd imagery to express how those who believe in him also belong to him. It is all about hearing his voice, knowing him, and following him. There is a certain paradox in all this. In order to believe in Jesus, one must first be called by God. The Gospel expresses it this way. “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him, and I will raise him up on the last day” (Jn 6:44).
Excerpts from “Sunday Homily Helps”, is used by permission of Franciscan Media. www.FranciscanMedia.org. All rights reserved
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Aloysius