Hear and Hold Dear

Greetings on this the Fourth Sunday of Easter
Readings: Acts 13:14, 43-52; Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5; Rev 7:9, 14b-17; Jn 10:27-30
Notes: The entirety of the divine-human exchange can be put this way.

Hear me.
Hold me.

We plead thusly.
He reassures thusly.

It is reciprocal.

We need him.
He wants us.

Happy Mother’s Day!
Glory to Ukraine!

First reading
Many… who were converts… followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.

Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.

The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Responsorial Psalm
We are his people, the sheep of his flock.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
serve the LORD with gladness;
come before him with joyful song.

Second reading
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.

Alleluia Verse
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.

Gospel Portion
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”

Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry