Acts 2:14,36-41; Psalm 22; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10
Last Sunday we heard the middle section of Peter’s speech at Pentecost in which he said that the Resurrection shows that 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 reading from Peter’s letter also continues from last week, but omits the saying that there is no credit in patiently bearing punishment that is deserved. God’s approval comes from suffering patiently even when we have done right. For us, Christ patiently bore 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.
Psalm Response: The Lord is my shepherd: there is nothing I shall want.
Acts 2:14,36-41; Psalm 22; 1 Peter 2:20-25; John 10:1-10
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