The Stone and the Shepherd - 4th Sunday of Easter (4/25/2021)

Acts 4:8-12

Psalm 118

1 John 3:1-2

John 10:11-18

Today we hear about two images: the rejected stone and the good shepherd. Jesus is the stone rejected by the builders, who has become the cornerstone (Responsorial Psalm 118). And Jesus is also the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.

ACTS

The first reading is St. Peter’s speech before the high priests after the healing of the cripple in the temple. Peter tells them “that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead; in his name this man stands before you healed.”

Then Peter quotes Psalm 118, which we recite today as the Responsorial: “The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.” Peter actually says, “The stone rejected by you, the builders…” His point is unmistakably clear, holding the high priests ultimately responsible for the death of Jesus.

The reading concludes with the powerful declaration: “There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the human race by which we are to be saved.” The word of God is quite clear that we are saved through Jesus Christ and him alone.

GOSPEL

We heard about the rejected stone and now we hear about the good shepherd. Jesus, the good shepherd, contrasts himself with a hired man, who sees the wolf coming and runs away, leaving the sheep to be caught by the wolf. Jesus says, “I will lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.” There will be unity in the flock of Jesus only as the sheep hear his voice and follow him. The gospel concludes with Jesus referring to his passion, death, and resurrection.

FIRST LETTER OF JOHN

The second reading is a beautiful message about God’s love: “See what love the Father has bestowed on us that we may be called the children of God. Yet so we are.”

Scripture scholars and theologians talk about the “already” and the “not yet.” Obviously, we are living our lives in between the “already” and the “not yet.”  First John tells us that we are already “God’s children now,” but “what we shall be has not yet been revealed.” This is clearly our experience here in this life on earth. We have some experience of being beloved children of God, but it is dim and veiled. We are awaiting a fullness of “the revealing of the sons of God” (cf. Rom. 8:19). We live in anticipation of that glorious day when “we shall see him as he is.” And what a day that will be!

HOPE FOR THE JOURNEY

We live our lives in light of the victory of Jesus through his death and resurrection. But we also live our lives “mourning and weeping in this valley of tears,” as we pray in the Hail Holy Queen. We are still on the way. Today we are encouraged by two truths of this Sunday’s liturgy: “The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone” and “I am the good shepherd…and I will lay down my life for the sheep.” Thanks be to God for the hope of glory he gives us as we make our journey!