--- title: Daily Readings Reflection for 5/15/11 description: Daily Readings Reflection for 5/15/11 --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/05/14/daily-readings-reflection-for-51511#) # Daily Readings Reflection for 5/15/11 May 14, 2011 9:00:42 PM  |  by [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) Scripture: Lectionary 50:   Acts 2:14,36-41. Psalm 23:1-3,3-4.5.6. I Peter 2:20-25, John 10:1-10 [Sunday's Readings ](http://www.usccb.org/nab/051511.shtml) Shepherding and sheep stream through our readings on this Good Shepherd Sunday, the fourth Sunday after Easter. The image of this pastoral theme are present in each of the readings sometimes emphasizing the sheep, then the shepherd and those who follow Jesus as shepherds of the flock of believers in Jesus the Messiah and Savior. Of course, Peter is important in this pastoral image as a good shepherd, but John gives us the living words of Jesus who calls himself the Good Shepherd not in a parable but in a "paroimia" which means an example, model, or a proverb. John does not make use of parables but rather prefers examples, symbols, and proverbs. This is excellent for seeing Jesus then as the superb example of a strong and good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. Peter, in the first reading, is the one who starts "speeches" or sermonizing in the Acts of the Apostles. We have them also through the long sermon or history of salvation discourse of Stephen;  Paul will follow as the Acts of the Apostles moves on throughout the liturgies of Easter. Peter speaks as a shepherd who leads the great numbers who are coming into the nascent church of Jerusalem on Pentecost Sunday.  Belief in Jesus as Messiah and Savior is always a feature of these speeches. There is a Lucan format to almost everyone of the twenty or more locutions found in Acts: first, the Sufferings, Death, and Resurrection are recalled for the listeners. Secondly, there is a charge or command to change one's mind and heart, that is, a metanoia or reform of one's life. Thirdly, the Holy Spirit is called upon so that the promises of God made through the Scriptures are recalled by those listening and finally baptism in the Name of Jesus. Psalm twenty-three is the favorite of most people and every line is filled with pastoral or shepherd imagery both for the Lord and the followers, the sheep of the Lord.  We acknowledge God as a shepherd through this psalm and it is so well known that it becomes a prayer in our lives at funerals, but also in times of joy. I Peter is more of a homily and it too has shepherd imagery within it.  We read in today's passage: "At one time you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd, the guardian of your souls." (I Peter 2:25). John gives us the living words of the Word of God, Jesus. Not only is he the way, the truth, and the life, he is also the Good or perfect shepherd and the sheepgate--meaning that he lays down his life at the narrow passage that the sheep must go through. Neither a marauder can cross over without being confronted by the protecting shepherd who is stretched across the "gateway."  The sheep cannot pass outside the gate without the Shepherd allowing them to do so and then leading them to the green pastures.  These consoling lines from John's Gospel are important for us whenever we are in need of protection from anxiety, opposition, or when we feel like straying away from the fold. Perhaps, we may be led to interpret this by reading the great poem of Francis Thompson, "The Hound of Heaven." Amen Alleluiah! ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F05%2F14%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-51511%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F05%2F14%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-51511%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F05%2F14%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-51511%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Daily%20Readings%20Reflection%20for%205%2F15%2F11) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F05%2F14%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-51511%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2011%2F05%2F14%2Fdaily-readings-reflection-for-51511%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Profile%203.jpg) ### [Guest](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/guest) We welcome guest contributors who graciously volunteer their writing for our readers. 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To inquire about serving as a guest contributor, contact editor@CatholicMom.com. ## Related Blog Articles [ Daily Readings Reflection for 11/12.10 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2010/11/12/daily-readings-reflection-for-1112-10) [ Daily Readings Reflection for 1/13/10 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2010/01/13/daily-readings-reflection-for-11310) [ Daily Readings Reflection for 1/14/11 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2011/01/14/daily-readings-reflection-for-11411) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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