4th Sunday of Easter
In our reading, the apostles had healed a man who was crippled and were then put into jail by the religious authorities (Sadducees). Peter, who was filled with the Holy Spirit, spoke to the leaders telling them that the man was healed by the name of Jesus Christ whom they crucified but God rose from the dead. Jesus was like a stone which they didn’t want but he became the cornerstone which holds up the whole building. It was through the power of the name of Jesus that the man was healed. Jesus is the Savior and in his name we are saved.
In our gospel, we hear Jesus call himself the Good Shepherd. A Good Shepherd knows every sheep and his sheep know him, he will protect the sheep from all danger, he will even die for the sheep (Jesus did that too), he truly cares for each sheep and will look for lost sheep, he is gentle, watchful, and caring.
Special Saint/Feast Day: St. Peter Chanel – April 28
Peter Chanel was born in France in 1803. When he was 7 years old, he took care of his father’s sheep. He was intelligent and loved his faith.
A parish priest met Peter and encouraged him to study hard. Peter did and he also became a priest in 1827. Father Peter was sent to a parish where just a few Catholics still practiced their faith. He was kind and patient with everyone and in just three years there was a big improvement in his parish because of Father Peter’s help and example.
Father Peter had a great desire to become a missionary. He hoped to bring the Gospel to people who did not yet know about Jesus. He was assigned to the island of Futuna. The people loved listening to him preach about Jesus. The people said, “He himself practices what he teaches us to do.” Unfortunately, the chief of the tribe was not happy with Father Peter when his own son wanted to be baptized. He sent a band of his warriors to kill the missionary. Father Peter was killed on April 28, 1841.
We are all called to spread the Gospel of Jesus, each in our own way. The example of St. Peter shows us that practicing kindness and patience is the best way to bring the love of Jesus to others.