FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - YEAR C - Gospel (John 10:27-30) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
- NHA CHUA CHA
- May 12, 2025
- 4 min read
FIRST READING - Acts 13:14, 43-52
A reading from the Book of the Acts of the Apostles
Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga
and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.
On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered
to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
“It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
but since you reject it
and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
that you may be an instrument of salvation
to the ends of the earth.”
The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this
and glorified the word of the Lord.
All who were destined for eternal life came to believe,
and the word of the Lord continued to spread
through the whole region.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
and the leading men of the city,
stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them,
and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.
SECOND READING from the Book of Revelation - Rev 7:9, 14b-17
I, John, had a vision of a great multitude,
which no one could count,
from every nation, race, people, and tongue.
They stood before the throne and before the Lamb,
wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands.
Then one of the elders said to me,
“These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
they have washed their robes
and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“For this reason they stand before God’s throne
and worship him day and night in his temple.
The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
nor will the sun or any heat strike them.
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
GOSPEL OF THE DAY - John 10:27-30
From the Gospel according to John
Jesus said:
“My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER - YEAR C - Gospel (John 10:27-30)
THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE
Dear People of God,
God the Father is the Creator of heaven, earth, and all things. He is the One who gives life to mankind. All the creatures He created are good, and He does not want to lose anyone. However, evil intervened and tempted our first parents, Adam and Eve. They disobeyed God and displeased Him.
Despite this, God's love always conquers death. Therefore, He continues to save mankind by sending His only Son, Jesus Christ, to earth—to die and rise again—to save humanity from sin and death. Before ascending to heaven to be with God the Father, Jesus gave His Apostles a command:
Go into all the world and become the light of the nations, bringing salvation to all mankind. The Apostles obeyed the Lord’s command to preach salvation to all. Although they were persecuted, they remained steadfast and faithful to the command of Jesus Christ. Those who accepted their preaching experienced peace, happiness, and salvation. The message of God was spread to all people without distinction of any creature, but each person was free to accept or reject it. Whoever accepted the Word of God received a life of perfect happiness with God the Father.
This image is described in the Book of Revelation, where God allowed His disciple John to see in heaven, together with God the Father, a great multitude of people from every ethnic group. These are the ones who believed in the Word of the Son of God; they now enjoy eternal happiness with God the Father. God has made a promise, and He will fulfill it. He is faithful and never betrays.
While preaching the Gospel, Jesus revealed to His disciples that He is the Good Shepherd. He said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish."
How blessed are those who dare to trust, believe in God, and follow His call. They will be kept, protected, and sheltered by Him, and they will attain eternal life and happiness in heaven.
Those who are His sheep—those who follow God—must always obey, listen to, and live according to His commandments: living in charity, love, reverence, and obedience to God alone. These are the people chosen by God the Father. He promises that when such people obey, listen to, and practice the commandments of Jesus Christ, no one will be able to take them out of His hands. This means Satan cannot steal the soul of someone who is fully obedient to God the Father and faithfully follows the teachings of Jesus Christ.
All who walk the path of God, who trust in Him completely, and who ask for the grace to remain faithful until death, will surely receive the reward God the Father has promised: eternal life, and everlasting happiness with Him in heaven.
Thanks be to God. Amen!
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