Only the true Shepherd, even to the point of laying down His own life for their sake.

Jesus calls himself the “gate” in today’s Gospel,

How often do we think of Jesus as someone who is “present” with us, walking with us,

accompanying us, comforting and consoling us, when the storms of life come our way?

Jesus, the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep,

is also the ever-present friend who never leaves us to face our perils alone.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 11:1-18*

News came to the apostles

The people have come to Jesus looking for another miracle, and for more free food.

Instead, Jesus says they need to be seeking the "true bread from heaven" in order to obtain eternal life.

In their:coming to him” they were only narcissistically coming to themselves.

“the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh”

“unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you” 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     　

Acts 8:1b-8

This was the beginning of

Jesus proclaims himself as the Good Shepherd.

The shepherd faces all adversaries that try to harm the flock.

There is self-sacrifice for the safety of the flock.

It is not conscious of its own dignity and power, but of responsibility and service.

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 4:8-12

Then Peter,

I am the bread of life; Whoever comes to me will never hunger, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.

Do not work for food that perishes but for the food that endures for eternal life.

Jesus takes this opportunity to upgrade their search beyond mere physical bread that nourishes the body only.

Stephen is stoned to death in the first reading. His witness before his death must have had an impact on Saul.

There was something in Stephen’s courage that must have struck something deep in Saul. 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊ 

Acts 7:51-8:1a

“But you are a stubborn people,

You hardened your hearts and

When he started giving the bread of life discourse, many leave him because the language is hard to believe.

Many disciples leave. Only the twelve with Peter as their spokesperson did not.

They have heard and seen enough to convince them that Jesus is the Holy One Of God.

Jesus, seeking to lead his hearers beyond dependence on earthly bread.

Peter may not understand the full import of what Jesus is saying but he knows what is essential: 'You have the words of eternal life'.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊      　

Acts 9:31-42

Meanwhile, the Church had peace.

Jesus replied,, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me

who will never be hungryagain. Whoever believes in me never be thirsty. ” JOHN 6:35

But Jesus uplifts their otherwise superficial understanding of their need.

He invites them to come to know better their deeper hunger for the food of life.

 ＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊      　

Acts 6:8-15

Stephen, full of grace and power,

Now, Jesus has specifically said that the "Bread of Life,"

which brings salvation to those who believe, is His own flesh.

"How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

What we eat becomes part of us as we assimilate the energy of our daily food and drink.

We become assimilated into Jesus when we eat his body and drink his blood.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 9:1-20*

(...) There was a disciple in

The two disciples who recognized the Risen One in the breaking of bread. Christ indeed from death is risen,

as he had done on the Emmaus road, the Anointed One of God had to suffer;

that he then had to rise from the dead to a new form of life;

our new life obtaining,And that repentance, for the forgiveness of sins,

would be preached in his name to al the nations.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 3:13-15, 17-19

The God of Abraham,

Once becoming a member of God's family,

You need to listen to Jesus' instructions and model your life accordingly,

it makes you an heir to eternal life.

Jesus is constantly pointing us beyond this world to the Father,

promising to 'raise us up on the last day', offering us eternal life.

 ＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 8:26-40

An angel of the Lord

After the feeding of the five thousand, They had to learn the lessons from the stormy sea of Galilee.

They have to learn to trust in Jesus through the storms when they are following Jesus in obedience to His will.

Every time Jesus appears, He always dispels our fears, is a sure sign of God’s presence.

They realised that Jesus was with them still; especially in times of struggle or disorientation. 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊     

Acts 6:1-7

In those days,