Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
A New Missionary Approach
Liturgical Cycle: A, B, C | Lectionary Cycle: I, II
Introduction
Opening Prayer
the Spirit of Jesus calls us, as he called your Son,
to abandon our old selves and our old world
to be free for new life and growth.
Forgive us our fear and hesitations,
lead us out of our worn-out phrases and habits,
and our self-made certainties,
steep us in the Gospel of your Son,
that his Good News may become credible
in our times and our world.
We ask you this through Christ, our Lord.
First Reading
The Church at Antioch
Those who had been scattered because of the persecution over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, proclaiming the message but only to the Jews.
However, some natives of Cyprus and Cyrene were among them and, when they came to Antioch, also spoke to the Greeks, sharing the good news of the Lord Jesus.
The hand of the Lord was with them, so many believed and turned to the Lord.
News of this reached the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to Antioch.
When he arrived and saw the clear signs of God’s favor, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithfully committed to the Lord;
for he himself was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith. As a result, large crowds came to know the Lord.
Then Barnabas went to Tarsus to look for Saul;
and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year, they gathered with the church and taught many people.
It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.
Responsorial Psalm
R. (117:1a) All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
His foundation upon the holy mountains
the LORD loves:
The gates of Zion,
more than any dwelling of Jacob.
Glorious things are said of you,
O city of God!
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
I tell of Egypt and Babylon
among those who know the LORD;
Of Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia:
“This man was born there.”
And of Zion they shall say:
“One and all were born in her;
And he who has established her
is the Most High LORD.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”
R. All you nations, praise the Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Alleluia Verse
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Gospel
Jesus Claims to Be the Son of God
The time arrived for the Feast of Dedication. It was winter,
and Jesus was walking back and forth in the portico of Solomon.
The Jews then gathered around him and said to him:
“How long will you keep us in doubt? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered:
“I have already told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name, proclaim who I am,
but you don’t believe because you are not among my sheep.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them; they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
Prayers of the Faithful
Let us pray today for the missionary Church and say: Lord, hear our prayer.
– That the Church may never tire of preaching Christ as the Risen Lord, we pray:
– That the Church may never tire of asking the Lord to make it ever new and to be attentive to the signs of the times, we pray:
– That Christians may live in such a way that their life of faith attracts people to Christ, we pray:
Prayer over the Gifts
Loving Father,
the bread and the wine on this table
speak to us of a journey into the future
to go together with your Son.
Change us as you change these gifts,
and transform us into the image of your Son.
Make us into people who dare to stand up
to speak your message without fear
in the language our times understand,
people who have the courage
to go new ways when demanded,
yet always loyal to your Son,
Jesus Christ, our Lord forever.
Prayer after Communion
Loving Father,
we are glad that we are called Christians,
men and women who follow Christ, your Son.
May we remain faithful to him
with a steadfast commitment
and fill us with the grace of the Lord,
that the Holy Spirit may live in us
and that we too may bring many to the Lord
and be worthy of the name
of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Blessing
May the grace of God be at work in us to keep us faithful with steadfast commitment, that we may be true disciples of Christ. May Almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
REFLECTIONS
John 10: 22-30
Faith comes from listening
“If you are the Christ, tell us plainly!” The Jewish leaders confronted Jesus, asking him to plainly confirm whether he was the Messiah. Jesus' divergence from their perception of the Messiah and the large following he commanded caused concern among the religious authorities when he referred to himself as a shepherd of his followers.
Jesus' use of the term "shepherd" would likely have raised doubts among the Jewish religious leaders, who were well-versed in the Books of the Prophets and Psalms. Several prophets had foretold that the Messiah would shepherd his people Israel. Therefore, they were suspicious of Jesus' claim to be the shepherd. They questioned whether he could be the Messiah that the scriptures had foretold. However, they were unwilling to accept a Messiah who did not fit their preconceived notions and understanding.
Once again, Jesus emphasizes the requirement of listening: “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me.” Listening to the voice of God—the Word of God—seems to be the paramount requirement for belonging to Jesus. In the Gospels, the term “hear” means to listen, understand, assimilate, and carry out what is heard.
His chosen disciples and the people who accompanied him listened to his voice and allowed his words to make amends in their lives. As always, the Words of Jesus evoke two types of reactions—some believe, and others do not. Faith comes from listening. When you don’t listen, you cannot have faith in Jesus.
===============
John 10:22-30
Walking in the Freedom of Faith
“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27)
The Church celebrates the 108th anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady to three children in Fatima. The Message of Fatima is still relevant for today’s world and the Church – to pray for the conversion of the world and for world peace.
During this Easter season, we continue to encounter the Risen Christ who walks among us and calls each of us by name. In the Gospel, the people press Jesus, saying, “If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus responds, not with a new revelation, but with a gentle reminder: “I told you, and you do not believe.”
Faith is not simply about receiving new information—it’s about opening our hearts to Jesus, recognising His voice, and following where He leads. Yet we often find it difficult to truly belong to His flock, even when we think we are already inside the gate.
What holds us back?
Sometimes, it is wealth, not just material riches, but the subtle ways we place our security in possessions, status, or comfort. Other times, it’s a rigid mindset, where we cling more to rules and control than to trust in God's mercy. Apathy, too, can take root: a heaviness of spirit that dulls our desire for more. Or we may be burdened by worldly distractions, clerical attitudes, or even religious ideologies that complicate the simplicity of the Gospel.
All of these create noise that makes it harder to hear the voice of Jesus.
But the Risen Lord offers something radically different: freedom. A freedom that comes from listening to His voice, knowing we are loved, and choosing to follow Him—day by day, even when the path feels uncertain.
This Easter, let us ask ourselves: What is keeping me from moving forward in faith? Am I truly free to follow Jesus, or am I clinging to something else?
May the Lord grant us the courage to walk through the door that is Christ Himself, and to follow Him with joyful, trusting hearts.