First Reading: Acts 2:14, 36-41

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles provides an explanation of how Jesus gives us life. Peter’s listeners asked what they should do. Peter told them that they needed to reform their lives and be baptised in the
name of Jesus. Jesus gives us life in the form of forgiveness of sins and a share in the Holy Spirit, the life that Jesus shares with God. This is available to all who are baptised in Jesus’ name.


Second Reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25

The first Letter of Peter is a lesson on the Christian vocation, i.e., God’s call to do and to be good in this life. We were once like sheep straying, but through the death and resurrection of Jesus we have now returned to the shepherd, the “guardian of our souls”. Our Shepherd has taken care of our greatest need, the need for union with God, by laying down his life for us and then taking it up again.


Gospel Reading John 10:1-10

In today’s Gospel Jesus identifies himself as the “Good Shepherd”, contrasting himself with those shepherds of Israel who are rebuked by God in Ezekiel. Ezekiel condemns the wicked £shepherds of Israel” who care
for themselves at the expense of the flock. They prey upon the sheep rather than protecting them from predators. They feed and clothe themselves at the
expense of the flock, yet they do nothing to minister to the needs of the sickly or injured among the flock.