Reading 1
Acts 13:14, 43-52
Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga
and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.
On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered
to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them,
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
Reading 2
Rev 7:9, 14b-17
I, John, had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
Then one of the elders said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“For this reason they stand before God’s throne
and worship him day and night in his temple.
The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
nor will the sun or any heat strike them.
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
Gospel
Jn 10:27-30
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
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.”
Meditation: Revelation 7:9,14-17
God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. (Revelation 7:17)
In terms of eternity, how important is what you are doing now? Maintaining this perspective can help show you what’s important on your journey toward heaven. Focusing on the splendid plans God has for us can help us not get caught up in distractions or side roads that go nowhere. Consider, for example, what is in heaven and what is available here to speed us on our journey.
There, in the company of the saints and angels, God shelters us with his presence. Here, we know his presence at times when he shelters us through a near miss in a car accident or allows things to happen that prevent a questionable relationship from becoming more serious.
There, hunger and thirst are no more. Here, we can share what we have by contributing to our local food cupboard or give as little as a drink of water to someone in Jesus’ name.
There, the sun will not cause us to wither. Here, sitting a long time in an uncomfortably warm waiting room can teach us patience and hope.
There, the Lamb seated upon the throne will be our shepherd. Here, the Lamb guides us in the Eucharist and through the church.
There, God will wipe away every tear. Here, as we sit with a loved one in the last stages of cancer, we can wipe away tears ourselves as we minister Jesus’ love.
Thanks to the redemption Jesus won for us, heaven is our inheritance, and every day brings us one step closer to our true home. What’s more, every day that we live in the hope and expectation of that home, God gives us countless opportunities to manifest the glory of heaven to the world. So enjoy the trip today, knowing that the destination is amazing!
“How glorious are your promises, O Lord! Through your Son, we can experience an eternity of your love. Lord, I revel in this promise today, even as I take up the call to work out my salvation in you.”
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Questions for Individual Reflection or Group Discussion
Acts 13:14,43-52; Psalm 100:1-3,5; Revelation 7:9,14-17; John 10:27-30
1. In the first reading, Luke describes the moment when St. Paul obeys God’s command and begins giving the Good News of Christ to the Gentiles. With whom do you think God is asking you to share the news of Christ? What keeps you from doing it? The reading ends with: “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit” (Acts 13:52). Why do you think this was so?
2. In the Responsorial Psalm, we hear these words: “Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands: serve the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful song” (Psalm 100:1-2). What are some of the reasons listed for this joy and gladness? Our own joy and gladness is not a shallow giddiness. Because of Christ, death’s “victory” over us has been destroyed. We will live forever in an eternal experience of the love of God our Father! What can you do to make your life a greater reflection of this expectation?
3. In John’s vision of Heaven in the Second Reading, we are told of the vast number gathered around the throne of God, “from every nation, race, people, and tongue.” God’s mercy and love is for everyone. Are there people from nations, races, or tongues you exclude from your love? What about the person who cut you off in traffic? What about a boss or co-worker? What steps can you take to reflect God’s love to these persons?
4. In the Gospel, Jesus says “my sheep hear my voice”. What practical steps can you take this week to make yourself more available to “hear” the voice of Christ?
5. Also in the Gospel, are there any more comforting and reassuring thoughts than the knowledge that we are held in the Father’s and Jesus’ hands and that no one can change that? Does your daily life reflect that confidence? What can you do to build your confidence in this reality for your life?
6. In the meditation, we hear these words: “Thanks to the redemption Jesus won for us, heaven is our inheritance, and every day brings us one step closer to our true home.” How important are these words to you? Do you believe that as you ponder this heavenly reality, it will impact the way you live out your life on earth?
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