Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter

Today's Mass Readings

The readings for today pertain to the idea of unity in the kingdom of God. God chose Israel from among the nations to bring the nations back to God. Israel became a kingdom, to bring in the world's kingdoms together in spiritual unity. When we open up the Bible’s earliest pages, we find that we are all part of one family. But this family has split apart through divisions and strife. God chose Israel to bring back the family scattered through sin. Indeed, the Prophets foretell a time when the Gentiles would worship God with the Israelites, and indeed would be among Israel’s priests (e.g., Isaiah 56:6). This in fact is one of the messages of today’s responsorial psalm (87:4-5). Israel herself was torn to pieces during the divided kingdom, and the northern kingdom was lost forever among the Gentiles. In today’s first reading from the Book of Acts, however, we see that the earliest Christian message went among the Jews (Acts 11:19). But the gospel message went to the Gentile Greeks as well (Acts 11:20-21). The earliest Christians were Jews, but Christianity very early spread among the Gentiles. The term translated as “Jews” in the New Testament usually refers to those who are descendants of the southern two tribes of Israel who returned from Babylonian exile. The descendants of the northern ten tribes of Israel, however, were to be found among the Samaritans and the Gentiles with whom they inter married. The Christian community spread among Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles alike. The Church, in this case, represents the true Israel. Just as the Temple was built for the twelve tribes of Israelto worship, and included a region where Gentiles too could worship, so the Church is a family including descendants of Israelites and Gentiles, who worship in much fuller unity than at the Temple.

Jesus criticizes His audience in today’s Gospel reading who do not recognize Him. But, He gives life to His family, to His sheep who hear His voice and follow Him. It does not matter what culture, gender, or background anyone is from, all can follow Jesus if they so desire (John 10:27-28). This is why His Church is called “Catholic,” because “Catholic” means universal. All may enter equally through faith and baptism into Jesus’ family and become His sheep.

This Easter Season let us remember that Jesus’ mission is our mission. We have a responsibility to share Jesus with others. This does not mean that we are all called to go knocking on our neighbors’ doors to tell them about the Catholic Church, but it does mean that we need to meet the needs of those around us as best as we can, and that when it is necessary we respectfully and lovingly explain the reason for the hope that we have in Christ and in His Church (1 Peter 3:15). Let us take the step of getting to know someone new this Easter Season. Let’s try to welcome in someone who might feel excluded from our group.

- Jeff Morrow