Each By Name

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/050717.cfm) reminds me that God calls each of us by name. 

When I was new to my church community, i did not know a lot of people. Being a shy person, I was very hesitant to talk to the people in gatherings. I only talked to the ones I know. We were more than 60 who were new at that time, so I just spoke with my fellow newcomers. However, I was surprised and I felt special and welcomed whenever people would talk to me and call me by name. There were a lot of us so I was surprised they know my name. And as I remained in the community, I made a conscious effort to get to know the names of new members, because I know it makes them feel special and welcomed.

God knows you by name.

In the gospel, we see Jesus telling us that the shepherd calls each of his sheep by name. He leads them our and calls them each by name. Yes, God our shepherd knows each of us by name. And as he leads us, as he calls us to do different things. In the first reading, we see Peter proclaiming Jesus and converting thousands of people in a day. In the second reading, we again see Peter reminding us that as we are led by God, we will experience sufferings and challenges, like our shepherd, but we should remain firm in Him. 

There may be times we feel so insecure or unappreciated by people around us. There may be times we feel so insignificant because of how other people treat us or make us feel. However, the gospel today should remind us how special we are. In the same way that the shepherd calls each of his sheep by name, until now he too knows our name and calls us by name. He uses people to reach out to us. He uses our situation to make us feel his protection, love and power. He uses everything he can to reach out to us and call us by name. and that should remind us how special we really are in God’s eyes.

May we always remember how special we are to God, and be sensitive when he calls us by name to do what he asks of us.

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another reminder. Lord, thank you for knowing my name, and for calling me by name. there are times I do not feel good about myself. There are a lot of insecurities in my life. But Lord, your love is enough. Your belief in me is enough. You are enough for me. I ask that you never get tired of calling me and of loving me. and as I feel your love, may it enable me to love others like you love me. May I proclaim you to the world. amen.

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

May 7, 2017
Fourth Sunday of Easter
Lectionary: 49

Reading 1ACTS 2:14A, 36-41

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven,
raised his voice, and proclaimed:
"Let the whole house of Israel know for certain
that God has made both Lord and Christ,
this Jesus whom you crucified."

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart,
and they asked Peter and the other apostles,
"What are we to do, my brothers?"
Peter said to them,
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you,
in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins;
and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For the promise is made to you and to your children
and to all those far off,
whomever the Lord our God will call."
He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,
"Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."
Those who accepted his message were baptized,
and about three thousand persons were added that day.

Responsorial PsalmPS 23: 1-3A, 3B4, 5, 6

R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. 
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
or:
R. Alleluia.

Reading 21 PT 2:20B-25

Beloved:
If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good,
this is a grace before God.
For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps.
He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

When he was insulted, he returned no insult;
when he suffered, he did not threaten;
instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross,
so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.
By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep,
but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

AlleluiaJN 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 10:1-10

Jesus said:
"Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.

So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.
All who came before me are thieves and robbers,
but the sheep did not listen to them.
I am the gate.
Whoever enters through me will be saved,
and will come in and go out and find pasture.
A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy;

I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly."