Acts 2:14,36-41; Psalm 22(23); 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10)
Last Sunday we heard the middle section of Peter’s speech at Pentecost, saying the Resurrection shows Jesus was the Holy One expected by King David. Today the consequences: many of his hearers accept this and are told they must repent and be baptised. “Repent” in the sense of radically changing their life and directing it towards God. Even though Jesus does not appear to baptise during his lifetime, baptism is immediately the mark of membership of the new Christian community, at which they receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Psalm celebrates God’s loving care for his people, like a shepherd guarding and guiding his flock, who are looking forward to his generous end-time feast.
Peter’s letter continues: God’s approval comes not from justifiable punishment but from suffering patiently even when we have done right. Christ patiently bore for us unjustified insults and hurts without retaliating, trusting completely in his Father. We must imitate the Lord our shepherd in every way, placing all our trust in him. He will “give us comfort” and “repose”.
In the Gospel John also sees Jesus as the Good Shepherd. He knows each one of us and leads us. We follow him because we know his voice. He is also the gate, through which we can enter and find safety.
(Acts 2:14,36-41; Psalm 22(23); 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10)
*** [Contents]