The Catholic Calendar for Monday, May 8, 2006
Monday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Acts 11:1-18
Psalms 42:2-3; 43:3-4
John 10:1-10

A reflection on today's Sacred Scripture:

Throughout Jesus' ministry, He tried to convey to us how much He loved us and wanted to care for us. Peter was assigned as head of the Church, to guide the sheep after Jesus' Ascension. Jesus even asked Peter if he was willing to take on this role with the question, "Peter do you love me?" And each time that Peter answered back with a yes, Jesus asked Peter to take care of His sheep. (see John 21:15-17)

In the Acts of the Apostles, Peter receives a vision that instructs him to eat what is viewed by the Jews as unclean meat. By doing this, God is instructing Peter, the head of His Church, that not only the Jewish people are welcome into the Kingdom of God but all of mankind. This is truly a joyful reading. God loves us and desires each and every one of us to be His children. Thus, Jesus was taking care of us by guiding His first Pope, Peter.

Jesus does the same today. As He said in the Gospel, "Whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for the shepherd, and the sheep hear His voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out." He goes on to explain, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. Whoever enters through Me will be saved." As Jesus guided Peter, He guides each and every Pope so that he will not harm the Church, and so that the flock of sheep under his care will be able to follow the Shepherd's teaching through the gate to be saved and obtain eternal life.

- Danielle