Lectio Divina

Christ and Doubting Thomas, painted by Paolo Cavazzola (1486-1522).

fourth sunday of easter

On this fourth Sunday of Easter, Good Shepherd Sunday, more than merely knowing the Shepherd’s voice, we know his name – the name by which we are to be saved (cf. Acts 4:12). As God’s children let us open wide the doors to Christ. Let the Shepherd’s voice ring in our ears, in our hearts, and in our minds. Throughout our lives let us pray to never be led astray.

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Peace be with you!

In Catholicism, Lectio Divina (from the Latin for Holy Reading) is a traditional monastic practice of scriptural reading, meditation, and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God's word.  For the practitioner, it follows a common rhythm of quiet reading (often aloud to oneself), of thoughtful meditation and contemplation on what one has read, and then, if so moved, of a prayerful dialogue with God in response to what one has encountered in scripture.  This reflective, meditative,  active listening, if you will, allows the Holy Spirit to deepen one's awareness of God's presence and invites His initiative to speak with us.

acts of the apostles

LISTEN: There is no salvation through anyone else.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said:
“Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved.”

The word of the Lord.

REFLECTION

CONSIDER:

Friends, in today’s first reading, we hear from St. Peter that it is only through the name of the Lord that we may be saved. Whatever elements of truth there are to be found in various religions, these partial elements participate in the fullness of truth found in Jesus. In Christ and through Christ, we are made to become participants in God’s own life.”

Bishop Robert Barron

video reflection

Credit: Word on Fire Catholic Ministries; Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermon: How to Get to Heaven, April 25, 2021.

Information herein posted under the "rules of fair use" to foster education and discussion in accordance with Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976.

PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father in Heaven,
 thank you for the gift of your only begotten Son, Jesus Christ.
 He is the Good Shepherd and we are members of his flock.

 Help us always to obey the voice of our Good Shepherd. 
 Let us not be led astray like little lambs who wander away from the sheepfold. 
 We know the shepherd's voice and he calls us each by name.

Abba,
 Open the ears of those who can't hear Him.
 Soften the hearts of those who refuse Him.
 Help the minds of those who persist, ignorant of Him.
 Strengthen us who love Him.

Jesus, 
 I trust in you. 
 In you is my salvation.
 In my weakness, help me never to be led astray.

Amen.

Author, Reason2bCatholic