“I have come that they may have life–life in abundance,” says Jesus, the Good Shepherd. He is the door to all. In the first reading, Peter defends his action of baptising the pagan Cornelius on the same grounds: also, pagans are called to accept the Gospel and the Holy Spirit comes down on them too, […]
Greeting (See Second Reading) By the wounds of Jesus we have been healed. We had gone astray like sheep, but now we have come back to the shepherd and guardian of our souls. May Jesus our Good Shepherd be always with you. R/ And also with you. Introduction by the Celebrant Hear the Shepherd’s Voice
A disciple of Peter, Mark writes in simple words how, with Jesus, came the time of salvation and repentance. He shows Jesus as both the Son of God and the Son of Man, whose life led to his death but who revealed himself fully in the resurrection. The disciple must follow his master. Opening Prayer
“Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” This is the question of Jesus the Lord when he lets Saul, the persecutor, encounter him on the way to Damascus. Jesus identifies himself with his persecuted disciples. From that moment on, Saul will serve the Lord, whose life he will live. It is an encounter that radically
Luke presents the conversion of the treasurer of the queen of Ethiopia in very close parallel with that of the disciples of Emmaus. The latter had listened to Christ’s explanation of the Scriptures about himself, and then recognised and really encountered the living, Risen Lord in the breaking of bread, in the Eucharist. The Ethiopian
The fervour of the young Church is so contagious that even in persecution, Christians use the occasion of the persecution itself to preach the risen Christ. Indeed, God does not abandon the Church, even in moments of trial. The reading from Acts says that there was even great joy over the signs of the Lord’s
Stephen and the persecuted Christians of the early Church relive the passion of Christ; they suffer not only for Christ, but also with him and like him; their attitude is also: “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit; Lord, do not hold this against them.” But Stephen and the first Christians are sure that death does not
Today and in the next few days, two unrelated Scripture texts run parallel: Stephen’s martyrdom presented as an imitation of Christ’s, and the Eucharistic discourse of Jesus, as given in John 6 after the multiplication of bread. Jesus confronts us today with the question: “Why are you looking for me?” Why are we looking for
Greeting (See Second Reading) We have been set free in the precious blood of the Lamb, Jesus Christ. God raised him from the dead and through him we have faith and hope. May Jesus the Lord be always with you. R/ And also with you. Introduction by the Celebrant On the Road to Emmaus Too
The apostles were looking for disciples to serve the material needs of the people. They were supposed to be servants filled with the Spirit of wisdom, who would see the needs of their brethren, just and fair in distributing the food and help needed. It takes sensitivity to feel who is needy and what they
