主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　(25/4/2010)

本主日讀經︰
宗徒大事錄　13:14,43-52
聖詠　100[99]:2,3,5
默示錄　7:9,14-17
若望福音　10:27-30

默想︰

教會在復活期第四主日，慶祝善牧主日。這一天，也是普世聖召節。
耶穌表明自己是善牧，因為祂認識祂的羊；而這個認識是基於耶穌對羊群的愛。耶穌清楚認識我們的軟弱、缺點和罪；然而，祂期望喚醒我們，堅強我們邁向聖善的心志。善牧耶穌以祂無條件、甘願為我們犧牲的愛，吸引我們歸向祂。
耶穌是善牧，因為祂賜給我們永生。永生之恩，在信仰的旅程中，有賴聖言的培育和聖事的滋養。就這樣，日復一日，耶穌希望與我們更好地合而為一。
善牧耶穌也是我們的護佑。只要跟隨祂，就不會喪亡；緊密跟隨祂，誰也不能把我們從祂的手中奪去。以自己的寶血將我們贖回、經歷十字架的痛苦而復活的善牧耶穌，怎也不會離棄我們。
主，祢從各邦國、各支派、各民族、各異語中，召叫人加入祢的教會，求祢教我們懂得服從祢的聲音，好能認識祢，愛祢。並求祢按照祢聖心的旨意，給我們派遣牧者，帶領我們緊密跟隨祢的腳步。阿孟。

【摘自和平四月號】


Readings (Year C) page 33:
Acts 13: 14, 43-52
Psalm 100: 1-2, 3, 5 We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
Revelation 7: 9, 14b-17
John 10: 27-30

Meditation

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is celebrated in the Church as the Good Shepherd Sunday. This day is also World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

In today’s Gospel Jesus presents himself as our good shepherd. Jesus is the good shepherd because He knows His sheep. This knowledge is Jesus’ love to us. He indeed knows our sins, vices and weaknesses; however He wants to awake and strengthen everything that is good in us. Jesus – the good shepherd draws us to himself through His unconditional and sacrificial love.

Jesus is our good shepherd because He gives us eternal life. This eternal life is the life of grace that is given to us through baptism and strengthened by other sacraments. When we receive the holy sacraments, Jesus shares with us His own life.

Jesus, our good shepherd is also our protector. We can’t be lost when we follow Him. No one can steal us from His flock when we are united with Him. Jesus can’t abandon us because He ransomed us at the cost of His blood. He became our good shepherd through his cross and resurrection.

“The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me.”

Lord, You have gathered in Your Church people from every nation, race, tribe and language. Make us obedient to Your voice that we may know You and love You. Give us shepherds according to Your most Sacred Heart that they may guide us in Your foot steps. Amen.

Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer