Sunday Gospel Reflection (May 11, 2025)

Acts 13:14, 43-52

Here, St. Paul describes the broader Christian mission that began within Israel and then expanded to the rest of the world. This outward movement is sometimes mistakenly seen as a fallback plan—suggesting that Paul and, earlier, Jesus only turned to the Gentiles because their message was rejected by the people they initially approached. However, this interpretation overlooks God’s original intent. From the time of Abraham, God's plan was to start with a local covenant that would eventually become a blessing for all nations. The spread of the Gospel beyond Israel—through faithful individuals like the Blessed Mother, Mary Magdalene, the Apostles, and Paul—is the fulfillment of that promise. Though it may appear as a shift in direction, it was always part of God's providential design.

Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5

This line, once exclusively spoken by the people of Israel, now resonates globally among believers, many of whom are not ethnically Jewish. It’s an ironic reversal that reflects the expanding scope of God’s flock. The enduring image of sheep and shepherd, so central to the Old Testament, also made it a powerful tool in Jesus’s teaching. Today, this line is prayed by more Gentiles than Jews, and will continue to be prayed by people of all backgrounds into eternity.

Revelation 7:9, 14b-17

St. John’s vision captures the very goal that Paul and Barnabas pursued: the global inclusion of all peoples in God’s covenant. This promise traces back to Genesis and God’s covenant with Abraham. While Abraham marks the beginning of God’s explicit call, even earlier, Adam—whose name means “humanity”—represents the universality of God’s plan. God may call out specific individuals, groups, or churches, but always for the sake of others. The ultimate aim is to transform outsiders into insiders, drawing all people into unity within the Body of Christ.

John 10:27-30

On Good Shepherd Sunday, we often focus on the sheep, but it's equally important to consider the possessive “my.” Christ’s claim over the sheep shows His care and ownership. So, who are these sheep? Scripture makes it clear: they include people “from every nation, race, people, and tongue”—those once considered outsiders. These are “His people,” His flock. Assurance of our place in that flock comes not from exclusivity but from reaching out to those still outside, inviting them to belong.