1. Welcome to our Bible
Study
7 May 2017
4th
Easter Sunday A
48th
World Day of Prayer for Vocations
In preparation for this Sunday’s Liturgy
In aid of focusing our homilies and sharing
Prepared by Fr. Cielo R. Almazan, OFM
2. 1st
reading: Acts 2:14.36-41
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed
to them, "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in Jerusalem. Let
this be known to you, and listen to my words. 36 Therefore let the whole
house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and
Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they
asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?"
38 Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in
the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will
receive the gift of the holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is made to you
and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God
will call." 40 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting
them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who
accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand
persons were added that day.
The focus is on the kerygma.
3. 1st
reading: Acts 2:14.36-41
Proclamation
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and
proclaimed to them, "You who are Jews, indeed all of you staying in
Jerusalem. Let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 36
Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has
made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Question
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they
asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, my brothers?"
38
Answer
Peter (said) to them, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will
receive the gift of the holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is made to you
and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God
will call."
Author’s notes
40 He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them,
"Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who
accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand
persons were added that day.
A simple outline!
4. 1st
reading: Acts 2:14.36-41
Proclamation
14 Then Peter stood up with
the Eleven, raised his voice,
and proclaimed to them,
"You who are Jews, indeed
all of you staying in
Jerusalem. Let this be
known to you, and listen to
my words. 36 Therefore let
the whole house of Israel
know for certain that God
has made him both Lord
and Messiah, this Jesus
whom you crucified."
Commentary
The liturgist puts together vv.14 and
36.
In v.14, Peter addresses himself to
the Jews, who are staying in
Jerusalem.
There are other Jews, but they are
staying in other places like Syria,
Egypt, Rome, etc.
Peter, in parallel form, appeals to
his audience to listen to him.
In v.36, the whole house of Israel is
referred to as the Jewish people.
Peter tells them that Jesus, whom
they crucified, is made both Lord
and Messiah.
It is God’s own act.
5. Question
37 Now when
they heard this,
they were cut to
the heart, and
they asked
Peter and the
other apostles,
"What are we to
do, my
brothers?"
V.37 indicates the spontaneous
reaction of the Jews.
“Cut to the heart” means to be
pierced, to be stabbed to the
heart, to be touched.
The message of Peter sinks
deep into the hearts of the Jews.
The Jews are guilty of crucifying
God’s Son. They have
committed a very grave sin.
So they consult / ask what they
can do (to repair the damage or,
better still, to escape from God’s
wrath).
6. Answer
38 Peter (said) to them,
"Repent and be baptized,
every one of you, in the
name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your
sins; and you will receive
the gift of the holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is
made to you and to your
children and to all those
far off, whomever the
Lord our God will call."
In v.38, Peter knows his script.
Right away he asks them to repent
and be baptized in order to be
forgiven (free from sin and
punishment).
Repentance is a change of heart
and mind towards God.
It opens the way for the Holy
Spirit.
It is a gift for those whose sins are
forgiven.
In v.39, the promise refers to the
Holy Spirit. God promises the Holy
Spirit to whom he calls.
7. Author’s notes
40 He testified
with many other
arguments, and
was exhorting
them, "Save
yourselves from
this corrupt
generation." 41
Those who
accepted his
message were
baptized, and
about three
thousand
persons were
added that day.
V.40 indicates that Peter is working hard as a
preacher.
Not only does he issues statements of his own
belief and conviction, but he also gives arguments
and reasons.
Peter, the fisherman, has developed into a full-
grown preacher, who knows what he is talking
about.
As a mature preacher and leader, he also exhorts
the Jews.
• To exhort is to encourage, to urge… to avoid
“this corrupt generation.” (other translations:
perverse or crooked generation).
V.41 gives an encouraging note to Peter’s
preaching.
• Those who embrace his message are
baptized.
• Their number is about 3,000. Peter is
speaking to a large crowd.
We imagine that he must be shouting aloud in
order to be heard. Really he stood up as indicated
in v.14.
8. Reflections on the 1st
reading
To be a preacher like Peter, one must know his
material (Jesus).
He must have the courage to face those who once
opposed Jesus, or, himself.
The preacher must know how to guide his
listeners into conversion (avoidance of sin and
centering one’s life on Jesus).
9. 2nd
reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
20 If you are patient when you suffer for doing what
is good, this is a grace before God. 21 For to this
you have been called, because Christ also suffered
for you, leaving you an example that you should
follow in his footsteps. 22 "He committed no sin, and
no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When he was
insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he
did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to
the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our
sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin,
we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you
have been healed. 25 For you had gone astray like
sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd
and guardian of your souls.
10. 2nd
reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
20 If you are patient when you suffer for doing what
is good, this is a grace before God. 21 For to this
you have been called, because Christ also suffered
for you, leaving you an example that you should
follow in his footsteps. 22 "He committed no sin, and
no deceit was found in his mouth." 23 When he was
insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he
did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to
the one who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our
sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin,
we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you
have been healed. 25 For you had gone astray like
sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd
and guardian of your souls.
The focus is living in grace.
11. 2nd
reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
Suffering
20 If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this
is a grace before God. 21 For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that
you should follow in his footsteps.
Not vindictive
22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth."
23 When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered,
he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one
who judges justly.
Crucified
24 He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that,
free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you
have been healed.
The shepherd
25 For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned
to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
A simple outline!
12. 2nd
reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
Suffering
20 If you are patient when
you suffer for doing what is
good, this is a grace before
God. 21 For to this you have
been called, because Christ
also suffered for you, leaving
you an example that you
should follow in his footsteps.
Not vindictive
22 "He committed no sin, and
no deceit was found in his
mouth." 23 When he was
insulted, he returned no
insult; when he suffered, he
did not threaten; instead, he
handed himself over to the
one who judges justly.
Commentary
V.20 is centered on grace.
Grace is manifested in patience,
when one suffers for doing good.
In v.21, Christians are called to this
life of grace.
Christians are called to live like
Christ, to follow in his footsteps.
We follow his example of suffering
for others.
V.22 affirms Jesus’ innocence (no
sin, no deceit)
V.23 states that Jesus is not
vindictive and he willingly subjects
himself even to the difficult plan of
God.
13. 2nd
reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
Crucified
24 He himself bore our
sins in his body upon
the cross, so that, free
from sin, we might live
for righteousness. By
his wounds you have
been healed.
The shepherd
25 For you had gone
astray like sheep, but
you have now returned
to the shepherd and
guardian of your souls.
In v.24, our sins are crucified in
the body of Christ.
This is the way Jesus frees us
from sin, a very difficult way.
His purpose: that we may live for
righteousness (straight living).
Christ’s wounds heal us.
V.25 indicates how we have
sinned (to go astray like a
sheep), thus wounded.
Our return to the shepherd
spells our healing.
The theme of the shepherd is
better developed in the gospel
reading.
14. Reflections on the 2nd
reading
Suffering is a part of life.
We don’t have to be a Christian in order to suffer.
We, Christians, prove to be living in grace when we are
patient in suffering as we do good.
Suffering in doing good is a vocation.
Suffering is absorbing patiently and quietly the pain
inflicted upon us without vengeance.
To answer our vocation, we must become like Christ who
suffers to shepherd his flock.
15. Gospel reading: John 10:1-10
1 Jesus said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not
enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over
elsewhere is a thief and a robber. 2 But whoever enters
through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The
gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4
When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of
them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his
voice. 5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run
away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of
strangers." 6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. 7 So
Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate
for the sheep. 8 All who came (before me) are thieves and
robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the
gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will
come in and go out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only
to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they
might have life and have it more abundantly.
The focus is on being shepherd.
16. Gospel reading: John 10:1-10
The true shepherd
1 Jesus said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a
sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a
robber. 2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the
sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his
voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When
he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep
follow him, because they recognize his voice.
The stranger
5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Jesus is the gate
6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he
was trying to tell them. 7 So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to
you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came (before me) are
thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the
gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go
out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and
destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more
abundantly.
A simple outline!
17. Gospel reading: John 10:1-10
The true shepherd
1 Jesus said, "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a
sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a
robber. 2 But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the
sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his
voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When
he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep
follow him, because they recognize his voice.
The stranger
5 But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers."
Jesus is the gate
6 Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he
was trying to tell them. 7 So Jesus said again, "Amen, amen, I say to
you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8 All who came (before me) are
thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. 9 I am the
gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go
out and find pasture. 10 A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and
destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more
abundantly.
We take the gate as the focus.
18. Gospel reading: John 10:1-10
The true shepherd
1 Jesus said, "Amen, amen, I
say to you, whoever does not
enter a sheepfold through the
gate but climbs over
elsewhere is a thief and a
robber. 2 But whoever enters
through the gate is the
shepherd of the sheep. 3 The
gatekeeper opens it for him,
and the sheep hear his voice,
as he calls his own sheep by
name and leads them out. 4
When he has driven out all his
own, he walks ahead of them,
and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his
voice.
Commentary
At first sight, the focus is on Jesus as
a shepherd. Jesus teaches his
disciples as to who is the true
shepherd. At second sight, we are
led to focus on Jesus as the gate.
In vv.1-2, Jesus teaches about a true
shepherd, who enters the sheepfold
through the gate.
In contrast, the false shepherd
(=thief and robber) enters
somewhere else.
In v.3, Jesus teaches that the
gatekeeper opens for him the gate
when he goes out. His sheep follow
his voice.
In v.4, when all the sheep are out of
the gate, the sheep follow him
because they recognize his voice.
19. Gospel reading: John 10:1-10
The stranger
5 But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him, because
they do not recognize the voice of
strangers."
Jesus is the gate
6 Although Jesus used this figure of
speech, they did not realize what he
was trying to tell them. 7 So Jesus
said again, "Amen, amen, I say to
you, I am the gate for the sheep. 8
All who came (before me) are
thieves and robbers, but the sheep
did not listen to them. 9 I am the
gate. Whoever enters through me
will be saved, and will come in and
go out and find pasture. 10 A thief
comes only to steal and slaughter
and destroy; I came so that they
might have life and have it more
abundantly.
In contrast, the sheep do not
follow a stranger (with a strange /
unfamiliar voice). Instead, they will
run away. V.5
V.6 indicates that Jesus’
listeners do not understand
what he is trying to drive at.
V.7 explicitates what Jesus
wants to put across.
He is the gate for the sheep.
V.8 identifies as thieves and
robbers those who came
before Jesus.
V.9 repeats v.7 (I am the
gate!)
When we enter through him,
we obtain salvation / pasture.
In contrast to a thief, Jesus
comes that we may have life /
abundant life.
20. Reflections on the gospel reading
We are more familiar with Jesus as the good Shepherd.
• He enters by the gate. His sheep recognize his voice.
In the gospel, we also encounter Jesus as the gate.
The image of Jesus as a gate is not so popular and well-reflected.
There are no pictures depicting Jesus as gate.
The gospel reading has a strong message for us.
It warns sinister people (false shepherds), who prey on the innocent
Christians (sheep of Jesus).
It is useless for them to intrude, because they cannot recognize their
voice.
If you want to lead the Christians (as committee head, PPC president,
pastor), you enter through Christ.
Without passing through Christ, you cannot be a leader of the
community.
You will be like a thief, robber, intruder, and marauder.
21. Tying the 3 readings
The first reading focuses on the kerygma and
introduces the Holy Spirit (who is coming soon).
The second reading is about the ability to suffer
persecution as a result of doing what is good.
This is living in grace.
The gospel reading is about Jesus as the
shepherd and gate (to salvation and fullness of life).
Since this Sunday is a day of prayer for vocations, we focus on the theme of
shepherding (vocations, spiritual leaders, those who represent Christ).
22. How to develop your homily /
sharing
Do you like your priests, your parish priests, rectors, and
their assistants?
How do they shepherd you? Are they real shepherds or
thieves?
According to the first reading:
Your priests are real and true shepherds, when they are
like the apostles boldly preaching the mystery of Jesus
and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
They give hope and satisfaction to the total human
person.
Do they have the power to change you, to lead you to
conversion? What change have you made in response to
their preaching and good examples?
23. According to the second reading:
Your priests must be living in grace, meaning, they are willing to
suffer criticisms, for doing what is good.
Are your priests promoting peace and unity, or, are they causing
division?
Are your priests fickle minded, always evading discomfort?
Do they run away when they meet resistance and drop you like a hot
potato?
Can they not make people of different ideas and personalities work
together professionally?
Don’t they take their sufferings as sharing in the sufferings of Christ?
(no spirituality)
You, Christians, can you bear with them when they work very hard,
or, you abandon them if they give you work.
You, faithful, can be a “pain in the ass” when you volunteer as
minister but you find it hard to work.
You tire your priests with excuses and alibis for not doing anything,
like not giving an accounting, not reporting for duty or attending
meetings, not paying your contributions (goats, you will go to hell).
24. According to the gospel reading:
The good priests enter through the gate, not through the
backdoor.
You recognize their voice because they are always there
preaching, speaking, encouraging and leading and in
solidarity with you, not always absent and taking vacation.
You know their thoughts and they represent their bishop
and the church for they attend priests’ assembly and obey
their superiors.
When they serve, they enter through the door of Christ
(they pray, they recognize his plan). They pass through
Jesus, they have his blessing to lead.
When they are there, they don’t mislead you (create
trouble). Instead, they make peace.
Do you listen to them? They always have a message to
carry.
25. In the church, there are also thieves, not only
shepherds.
These thieves can be the priests themselves, who did
not have a good formation, or, who were allowed to
continue without adequate formation.
They use the ministries to enrich themselves, to satisfy
their vanities.
They are easily drawn to engage in tsismis (gossiping)
by people who are deeply wounded, or, in business
with business-minded people.
They are not trained to make sacrifices, to give their
selves to the people.
They don’t care about accountability and proper
decorum and proper speech.
They speak foul language as if they were canto boys.
(uncouth)
26. Today, we pray for good vocations.
Good vocations start with good family background and
upbringing.
Experience tells that those who come from
dysfunctional or irreligious families are hard to form.
You spend more time counseling them and healing their
woundedness than giving them solid foundation.
Good formation produces good priests, who use their
minds (brains) and hearts.
They must be assisted in their human development.
They must be sexually integrated at a certain point. (c/o
Erickson)
Good people (congregations) who treat young
vocations with delicadeza help produce good priests.
27. The celebration of the eucharist is the most sacred
activity of the priest.
In the mass, the priest leads the congregation in
praising God, and teaches them the proper
Christian behavior (homily).
The eucharist is a source of strength for a priest,
who is in trouble.
In the eucharist, we pray for the sanctification of
priests and vocations.
28. Our Context of Sin and Grace
Many priests lack pastoral skills.
They find it hard to obey their
bishops and superiors.
Many priests are torn apart by
their relatives and by their
divided congregations.
They become money makers for
the need of their loved ones.
Some are drawn to worldly
values (gambling, drinking,
smoking, etc.).
Lay people insulting their priests
Lay people spreading lies and
tsismis against their priests, who
don’t conform to their demands
Priests at the beck and call of
the benefactors
Fostering good vocations
Supporting seminarians and
seminaries
Vocation promotion
Treating young vocations
with delicadeza
Parents teaching their
children to love their priests,
showing respect and
reverence to them
Lay people praying for
priests
Respect for priests
Priests with self respect
