Monday May 4, 2009

May 4, 2009 Monday of the 4th Week in Easter
Readimgs ACTS 11: 1-18 Psalm 42: 2-3; 43: 3-4 John 10: 1-10
Psalm Response: “ Athirst is my sould for the living God”

Peter was a staunch Jew. He abided by the Law as well as any of the Jews in Jerusalem and was quite scrupulous in his religious practices. Jews did not associate with non-Jews as it was a potential for becoming unclean and to have to go through the ritual of cleansing before on could be re-admitted into the community.
When he had been ministering to gentiles who wished to be Baptized, he had entered their homes and, in the eyes of most Jewish Christians, he was unclean.
They remonstrated Peter when he came into their company and were about to ostracize him from their company, when he showed them the reason for his breaking the custom. His vision of the various “unclean” animals being offered to him from a heavenly entreaty, changed his prospective regarding discrimination, not only from foods forbidden but from associating with non-Jews, they were convinced and discontinued their objection.
Thereby, he and the other Christians were free to proselytize among all people as Christ had enjoined them. The fact the converts, upon their baptism, also received the Holy Spirit increased their conviction all were welcome into the new Way!

The psalm and response indicated the longing placed upon the souls of all people for the living God. We all are open to the reception of the grace needed for conversion so we are able to ascend the altar of God, the joy of our youth!

Continuing the metaphor of the sheepfold and the Shepherd, Christ compares the gate of the sheepfold with the adit into heaven. We are to consider Christ the gate-keeper, ready to admit anyone who has remained steadfast to the principles of Christianity and the moral standard of the Church placed before us by our Pope and Bishops.
Keeping our eye on Jesus and listening to His voice will be the password into the eternal Kingdom, promised to those who keep His commands.