FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER (cycle C)*

We recall Luke's account of Jesus' first sermon in his home town, Nazareth. He was not accorded a kind welcome, and ended by telling his audience that he would take his message to others. In an earlier chapter in Acts Peter did something similar when he spoke to people from many nations, telling them that the good news was for everyone. In today's reading from Acts we read that Paul and Barnabas spoke to a broad audience. In prior passages Paul was not well received by Jewish audiences, and he had told them he would go to the Gentiles. Today also Paul tells the Jews that since they rejected his message, he would now turn to the Gentiles, who responded favorably. Paul and Barnabas were subjected to abuse and rejection by Jewish leaders. Paul's words to them were that by rejecting the challenge to repentence and new life, they were rejecting eternal life.

Luke's message through Paul is that the call to change one's way of life is a joyful and liberating experience for those who embrace the challenge.

Psalm 100 is our response; a psalm of thanksgiving. All nations are called. to praise ("sing joyfully") to God, and to serve him with gladness (vs.1). Israelite worship was characterized by spontaneous joy. In context today with Psalm 100 as a response, we are called to rejoice with the people who first accepted the message of apostolic preaching. Together with the early converts, we "Know that the Lord is God ... we are his people" (vs. 3). Appropriately we conclude with a doxology: "The Lord is good: his kindness endures forever, and his faithfulness.." (vs. 5). This praise comes from the conviction that we have been created and elected by God, or chosen by God.

J.L. Mays notes that "praise is the way the faithfulness of the Lord becomes word and is heard in the Lord's world." A believer worships with joy because he or she knows that "as far as time runs, the future is ruled by the loving kindness and faithfulness of the Lord."

Psalm 100 acknowledged who God is and why he is praised.

The reading from the Book of Revelation which follows describes the Church triumphant in heaven. Here the Christian martyrs are presented; these have proved their faith in time of trial, and are recognized for this. The. reading notes that they come "from every nation and race, people and tongue." These are the fruits of Christ's victory over death by his resurrection from the grave.

Listening to these texts from the Sacred Scriptures today, from Acts, from Psalm 100, and from the Book of Revelation, we have an opportunity to renew our faith in and commitment to the way of Christ,

The Good Shepherd passage from the 10th chapter of John's gospel repeats a thought from Psalm 100, namely that "we are God's people, the flock he tends" (Ps. 100:5). The gospel passage from John's Good Shepherd image gives insight into John's understanding of the nature of the Church. The keeper of the sheep fold is God, Jesus is the shepherd, the sheep are the community of believers. It is for these--for us--that Jesus laid down his life, and as long as we follow Jesus our shepherd, there is no danger of being 'snatched away.'

Each of the readings teaches the role of God in drawing us to faith. Apostolic preaching recognizes that the grace of God in believers who accept the word--Jesus--and appreciate that God destines them for eternal life. The heavenly vision in the Book of Revelation celebrates the faith of the early Christian martyrs. The gospel text reminds us that faith is a gift; it is the result of the powerful and loving action of God within our hearts. (Leonard Doohan).

* ©Resurrection of Lazarus by Herman Falke, scj (CA)