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

The readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter highlight the growth of the early Church, the security of Jesus’ followers, and the importance of faith in His promises. They remind us that God’s work continues to spread and that His voice brings comfort and guidance to His people.

• Spreading the Good News: The first reading shows the early disciples sharing the Gospel with others as they traveled. Their faith inspired them to bring God’s message to new places.
• Belonging to Jesus’ Flock: In the Gospel, Jesus speaks about His sheep who listen to His voice and follow Him. This reminds us that those who believe in Jesus find belonging and security with Him.
• The Name Christian: The first reading tells of the disciples first being called Christians in Antioch. This name reflects their faith and dedication to following Jesus’ teaching.
• Jesus’ Voice Brings Comfort: Jesus says His sheep know His voice and trust in Him. His words give peace and assurance to those who follow Him.
• Eternal Life in Christ: Jesus promises eternal life to those who follow Him. This reminds us that faith in Him leads to the hope of life with God forever.
• God’s Hand at Work: The first reading shows how God guided the early Church and helped it grow. His hand was with the disciples, giving them strength and success in their mission.

Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter encourages us to trust in Jesus’ promises and to share His message with others. The readings remind us to listen for His voice, live with hope, and follow His call with faith.

The readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter highlight the call to follow Jesus and live out our faith. They show how the early disciples were recognized for their dedication to Christ and how Jesus, the Good Shepherd, guides His followers with care. These reflections invite us to consider our response to His voice and our commitment as Christians.

The Name Christian

The first reading for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter mentions the disciples being called Christians for the first time in Antioch. This name identified them as followers of Christ, showing their faith and devotion to living His teachings. It was not just a title but a reflection of their lives and choices.

The name Christian reminds us of our identity as followers of Jesus. It calls us to live in a way that reflects His love, kindness, and truth. Being a Christian is more than a label; it is a commitment to follow Him in all we do.

This reading challenges us to think about how we live as Christians. Do our actions show that we belong to Christ? Like the disciples in Antioch, we are called to make our faith visible in our words and deeds.

Jesus’ Voice Brings Comfort

In the Gospel for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter, Jesus speaks about His sheep who know His voice. His words are reassuring, offering peace to those who follow Him. The sheep trust the Shepherd because they know He cares for them and keeps them safe.

This image reminds us of the comfort and guidance Jesus provides. His teachings help us navigate challenges and give us the confidence to keep going. When we listen to His voice, we find the peace that comes from knowing we are not alone.

We are invited to listen for Jesus’ voice in prayer, Scripture, and the Church. As His followers, we trust that He leads us in the right direction. His voice is steady and clear, calling us to trust and follow Him.

Faith That Inspires Action

Both the first reading and the Gospel for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter highlight the connection between faith and action. In the first reading, the disciples actively shared the message of Jesus in new places, leading many to believe. In the Gospel, the sheep listen to the voice of the Shepherd and respond by following Him.

Faith is not just about belief; it is about how we live in response to what we believe. The disciples’ example shows us the importance of sharing our faith with others. Their actions brought hope and new life to those they encountered.

The Gospel reminds us to act on what we hear from Jesus. When we follow His voice, we walk in His ways and live out our faith. These readings encourage us to take steps to share the Good News and trust that Jesus will guide us as we do.

---

The reflections for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter remind us to embrace our identity as followers of Christ. They encourage us to listen to Jesus’ voice, trust in His guidance, and live out our faith in action. May we be strengthened to follow Him more closely each day.

Prayer

Lord, thank You for calling us to be part of Your flock. Help us to listen to Your voice and follow where You lead. Strengthen our faith so that we can live as true Christians and share Your love with others. May our lives reflect Your goodness. Amen.

Reflection Questions

• What does it mean to you to be called a Christian?
• How do you listen for Jesus’ voice in your daily life?
• In what ways can you act on your faith like the early disciples?
• How does trusting in Jesus as the Good Shepherd bring you comfort?

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?

The next date is Tuesday May 13, 2025.

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

The Mass readings for Tuesday May 13, 2025 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

Why were the disciples sharing the Gospel with others in the first reading for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

The disciples shared the Gospel as they traveled because they were inspired by their faith in Jesus. They wanted to bring His message of salvation to new people and places.

What does it mean to be called Christians in the first reading?

Being called Christians showed that the disciples were followers of Christ. This name reflected their faith and their commitment to living by His teachings.

How did God help the early Church grow in the first reading for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

God’s hand was with the disciples, giving them strength and success in their mission. He guided them as they shared the Gospel and welcomed new believers.

How can we share the Gospel like the disciples in the first reading?

We can share the Gospel by living out our faith in words and actions. When we show love and kindness to others, we reflect the message of Jesus.

What does Jesus mean when He says His sheep know His voice in the Gospel for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter?

Jesus is talking about those who follow Him and recognize His guidance. His voice represents His teachings, which bring peace and direction to His followers.

How does the Gospel show the security of Jesus’ followers?

The Gospel shows that those who belong to Jesus are protected by Him. He promises to keep His followers safe and to give them eternal life.

What is the significance of eternal life in the Gospel?

Eternal life means living with God forever. Jesus promises this gift to those who believe in Him and follow His ways.

What does it mean to listen for Jesus’ voice?

Listening for Jesus’ voice means being attentive to His teachings and trusting in His guidance. It involves prayer, reading Scripture, and being open to His call.

What does belonging to Jesus’ flock mean for us?

Belonging to Jesus’ flock means being part of His family and trusting Him as our Shepherd. It gives us security and peace, knowing that He cares for us.

How do these readings for Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter encourage us in our faith?

The readings encourage us to trust in Jesus’ promises and to share His message with others. They remind us that God is always at work, guiding and strengthening His people.