Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter

• First Reading - Acts 11:19-26: Persecuted believers spread the gospel beyond Jewish communities, reaching Greeks in Antioch with great success. Barnabas and Saul taught there, where followers were first called Christians.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 87: God cherishes Zion above all and great things are declared about it. Nations like Egypt, Babylon, and Ethiopia recognize their origins in Zion, established by the Most High.
• Gospel - John 10:22-30: Jesus is walking in the temple during the feast of dedication (Hanukkah) and is asked by the Jews to tell them plainly whether He is the Messiah. Jesus responds by saying that He has already told them, but they do not believe because they are not His sheep. He then asserts that His sheep hear His voice and follow Him, and no one can snatch them out of His hand or the Father's hand.

How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.

John 10:24

For Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter, the readings highlight the spread of the gospel and the relationship between Jesus and His followers.

• Gospel reaches new people: The persecuted believers didn't just keep their faith to themselves; they spread it to non-Jews in Antioch. This teaches us that the good news of Jesus is for all people, not just a specific group.
• First called Christians: In Antioch, the followers of Jesus are first called Christians. This marks a significant moment in the identity of the believers, showing how they were recognized by their faith in Jesus.
• Jesus confirms His identity: When questioned at the temple, Jesus tells the Jews He has already shown He is the Messiah through His works. This reminds us that Jesus' actions and words are clear signs of His identity.
• Not all believe in Jesus: Jesus explains that not everyone believes in Him because they are not His sheep. This tells us that faith in Jesus requires a personal connection and recognition of His voice.
• Security in Jesus: Jesus assures that His followers are secure with Him, as no one can snatch them from His hand. This offers us reassurance of Jesus' protection and the eternal safety found in believing in Him.

So the readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter teach us about our identity as Christians and the clear identity of Jesus as the Messiah.

In the readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's plan for our lives, even when we face challenges and uncertainty.

In Acts 11:19-26, we see how the believers who were scattered due to persecution were able to spread the Gospel to new places, including Antioch. This reminds us that even when we are going through difficult times, God can use us to do great things and spread His message to others.

In John 10:22-30, Jesus describes Himself as the Good Shepherd who cares for His sheep. He emphasizes the importance of listening to His voice and following Him, and assures us that His sheep are secure in His hand and in the hand of the Father. This passage reminds us of the love and care that Jesus has for each one of us, and how He is always present to protect and guide us.

As we reflect on these readings, we may ask ourselves: how can we trust in God's plan for our lives, even when we face uncertainty and difficulty? How can we better listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow Him with faith and obedience? And how can we share the message of Christ with others, even in challenging circumstances?

May these readings inspire us to trust in God's plan, listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd, and share the message of Christ with those around us. May we take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus loves and cares for us, and that we are secure in His hand. And may we always strive to follow Him with faith and obedience, wherever He may lead us.

Prayer

Dear Lord, help us to trust in Your plan for our lives, even when we face trials and uncertainty. May we listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and follow Him with faith and obedience, and may we share the message of Christ with those around us, even in challenging circumstances. Amen.

Word on Fire: The Trinity and the Cross

In Bishop Robert Barron's reflection for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter, he explores Jesus's statement, "the Father and I are one." This declaration highlights the unique union and identity of Jesus with God, confronting early Christians with the mystery of Jesus as both divine and sent by the Father. The introduction of the Holy Spirit adds complexity to this divine relationship, illustrating the concept of the Trinity—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as distinct yet unified. This trinitarian belief is symbolically expressed through the sign of the cross, particularly reflecting their unity at the crucifixion.

What date is Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

What are the Mass readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

The Mass readings for Monday April 22, 2024 are:
First Reading - Acts 11:19-26: The Conversion of Antioch
Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 87: The Joy of Belonging to God's City
Gospel - John 10:22-30: The Good Shepherd and His Flock

What happens in Antioch in the first reading for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

Believers, facing persecution, spread the gospel to Greeks in Antioch, where the term "Christians" is first used to describe followers of Christ.

Who are Barnabas and Saul, and what do they do in Antioch as mentioned in the first reading for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

Barnabas and Saul are early Christian leaders who teach in Antioch, helping to establish a strong community of believers there.

What lesson can we learn from the spread of the gospel to Greeks in Antioch for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

This teaches us about the importance of evangelism and the power of faith to transcend cultural and ethnic barriers.

What is the significance of the term "Christians" being used for the first time in Antioch, based on the first reading for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

The use of "Christians" signifies the identity and unity of believers in Christ, marking a pivotal moment in the history of the Church as it expands beyond its Jewish roots.

What does Jesus say about His identity during the feast of dedication in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

Jesus tells the questioning Jews that He has already shown them He is the Messiah through His works, but they do not believe because they are not His sheep.

How does Jesus describe His followers in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

Jesus describes His followers as sheep who hear His voice and follow Him, highlighting a personal and trusting relationship.

What is Jesus' assurance to His followers in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

Jesus assures His followers that no one can snatch them out of His hand or the Father’s hand, emphasizing the security and permanence of their relationship with Him.

Why do the Jews in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter not recognize Jesus as the Messiah?

They do not recognize Jesus as the Messiah because they do not belong to His sheep, indicating a lack of spiritual connection and belief.

How does Jesus' response during the feast of dedication relate to His role as the Good Shepherd?

His response highlights His role as the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep and is known by them, contrasting with those who do not recognize His voice.

What does the response of the Jews to Jesus’ claims in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter teach us?

It teaches that spiritual understanding and acceptance of Jesus' teachings are gifts granted to His sheep, who listen and follow Him faithfully.