Feeling spiritually drained? Need to be healed? Trying to make a wise decision? Who you gonna call? The Holy Spirit, of course! Today's readings are all about calling on the Holy Spirit to charge our spiritual batteries, to heal us in body and soul, to help us act wisely, and to make us soldiers of Christ ready and able to defeat the forces of evil. 

Acts 2:1-11
Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34
1 Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13
John 20:19-23

--------------------------------------------------------

Now when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly there came from the sky a sound like the rushing of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. Tongues like fire appeared and were distributed to them, and one sat on each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and began to speak with other languages, as the Spirit gave them the ability to speak. Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under the sky. When this sound was heard, the multitude came together, and were bewildered, because everyone heard them speaking in his own language. They were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Behold, aren’t all these who speak Galileans? How do we hear, everyone in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, the parts of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians: we hear them speaking in our languages the mighty works of God!” Acts 2:1-11

Luke sets the stage for the arrival of the Holy Spirit whom Jesus had promised to send. We can imagine that the 120 disciples are anxious and fearful. Perhaps the authorities are planning at this very moment to come and arrest them. All of a sudden, they hear what sounds like a mighty wind. This roaring wind is the groaning of the physical universe as it experiences the awesome power of the Spirit of God, the same Spirit that hovered over the waters before the creation of the world. Imagine the roaring sound of a hurricane without the wind! The disciples are experiencing the power of God being unleashed to recreate the world in his image! 

The tongues of fire produce no heat, for they are the symbols of the fire of God's pure love flooding their minds and hearts with extraordinary gifts of faith, prophecy, healing, knowledge, wisdom, and courage, i.e., grace. They also receive the remarkable ability to make themselves understood by others who do not even speak their language. Did the Holy Spirit temporarily lift the curse of Babel where God caused the builders to no longer understand each other as their pride led them to erect a tower to heaven? Does this universal understanding give us a glimpse of the world God intended before the fall, a world without lies and deception? The Holy Spirit is ready right now to lift our spirits. Let us open our hearts and feel his presence. Yes, we are walking on air! Such is the effect of the elevating presence of the Holy Spirit.

--------------------------------------------------------

Bless [the Lord], my soul.
[Lord], my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honor and majesty.
[Lord], how many are your works!
In wisdom have you made them all.
The earth is full of your riches.
You hide your face: they are troubled;
you take away their breath: they die, and return to the dust.
You send out your Spirit and they are created.
You renew the face of the [earth].
Let [the Lord's] glory endure forever.
Let [the Lord] rejoice in his works.
Let your meditation be sweet to him.
I will rejoice in [the Lord]. Psalm 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34

The psalmist describes the Holy Spirit as the Spirit of creation who gives life to all God's creatures. This Spirit enables species to reproduce and inspires humans to strive for greatness: to become holy as God is holy. Such conversion enables God to renew our spirit where we go from glory to glory on the road that leads to heaven!

--------------------------------------------------------

Now there are various kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are various kinds of service, and the same Lord. There are various kinds of workings, but the same God, who works all things in all. But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the profit of all. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12: 3-7, 12-13

Paul preaches that it is the action of the Holy Spirit working in those with open hearts that leads us to believe in Christ. An open heart is receptive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and that leads to conversion and the bestowal of God's gifts on the believer. Our individual gifts serve the whole body of Christ, the Church.

--------------------------------------------------------

When therefore it was evening, on that day, the first day of the week, and when the doors

were locked where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the middle, and said to them, “Peace be to you.”

When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples therefore were glad when they saw the Lord. Jesus therefore said to them again, “Peace be to you. As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit! If you forgive anyone’s sins, they have been forgiven them. If you retain anyone’s sins, they have been retained.” John 20:19-23

Jesus' breathing the Holy Spirit on his apostles was a preview of what the disciples experienced at Pentecost. Here the focus is on commission: God sent Jesus and now Jesus will send his apostles to spread the Good News, to convert others and save souls. And what about those who hearts remain closed and reject their message? The apostles will shake the dust from their sandals (a Jewish sign of rejection) and move on to those more receptive. Those with open hearts will receive the grace of conversion; those who reject Jesus' message will reap the whirlwind. Our decision today to accept or reject Jesus will have grave consequences as to where our soul will dwell in the future. Let us implore the Holy Spirit to help us make the right decision:

Come, Holy Spirit, and fill the hearts of the faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love. Send forth you Spirit and we shall be created and you shall renew the face of the earth! O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, may we by that same light be made truly wise and ever enjoy his consolation. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

Pentecost marks the birthday of the Church. Let us all thank God for his church and wish all its members a very happy birthday!

John

Jesus is our "Bridge Over Troubled Water."

Today's readings are about Jesus' continual presence among his followers and the reward he promises to those who are not ashamed to express their faith in him boldly.

ACTS 7:55-60
PS 97:1-2, 6-7, 9
REV 22:12-14, 16-17, 20
John: 17:20-26

The Gospel antiphon sums it up nicely: "I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you." John 14:18

Jesus is our friend and constant companion. We can easily apply the words of Paul Simon's song, "Bridge Over Troubled Water," to the friend we have in Jesus:

"When you're weary, feeling small
When tears are in your eyes, I'll dry them all
I'm on your side, oh, when times get rough
And friends just can't be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down."

Jesus was certainly a "bridge over troubled water" for St. Stephen when he was stoned to death.

 But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!”

But they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed at him with one accord. They threw him out of the city, and stoned him. The witnesses placed their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. They stoned Stephen as he called out, saying, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” He kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” When he had said this, he fell asleep. ACTS 7:55-60

The first reading describes the death of St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, in 36 CE . He obviously did not die alone. He saw Jesus, the Son of Man, now glorified in heaven, standing at the right hand of the Father ready to receive him. Jesus promised on Ascension Thursday that he would be with us until the end of the ages. And God's promises are etched in stone. Stephen knew it and Luke recorded it in the Acts of the Apostles so we would all know it.

-------------------------------------------------------

[The Lord] reigns! Let the earth rejoice! Let the multitude of islands be glad! Clouds and darkness are around him. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne. The heavens declare his righteousness. All the peoples have seen his glory. Let all them be shamed who serve engraved images, who boast in their idols. Worship him, all you gods! For you, [Lord], are most high above all the earth. You are exalted far above all gods. PS 97:1-2, 6-7, 9

But how does God feel about those who deny him? Psalm 97 answers that question: Shame on the man who denies the Word of God! Stephen gladly gave his life as a witness to his faith in Jesus. Like Jesus, he even asked God to forgive those who were stoning him. Out of love, God revealed himself to Stephen at his moment of death. Yet, his murder would cry our for vengeance and his murderers would eventually face God's judgment for such a shameful act. Yes, we know God is merciful, but only to those who are worthy of his mercy. The first judgment after death has come and gone for those who killed Stephen. We can only hope that some of them, like St. Paul, repented before it was too late!

-------------------------------------------------------

“Behold, I come quickly. My reward is with me, to repay to each man according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who do his commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter in by the gates into the city.

I, Jesus, have sent my angel to testify these things to you for the assemblies. I am the root and the offspring of David; the Bright and Morning Star.” The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” He who hears, let him say, “Come!” He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely. He who testifies these things says, “Yes, I come quickly.” Amen! Yes, come, Lord Jesus. REV 22:12-14, 16-17, 20

Jesus is not only always with us spiritually, but here in Revelation we see a warning from Jesus that his return is imminent. You might be tempted to say that we have been hearing this warning for over 2,000 years. But let us not forget that God does not perceive time as we do. He lives outside of time. Psalm 90 says that a day in our time is like a thousand years in God's time. I did the math. The average person will be here on earth about 2 1/2 hours in God's time! Our time is running out. Let us prepare ourselves now for the return of the King! Those who follow God's commandments will have nothing to worry about. They will drink of the waters of eternal life. While those who break God's laws will be judged accordingly. 

-------------------------------------------------------

Not for these only do I pray, but for those also who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that you sent me. The glory which you have given me, I have given to them; that they may be one, even as we are one; I in them, and you in me, that they may be perfected into one; that the world may know that you sent me, and loved them, even as you loved me. Father, I desire that they also whom you have given me be with me where I am, that they may see my glory, which you have given me, for you loved me before the foundation of the world. Righteous Father, the world hasn’t known you, but I knew you; and these knew that you sent me. I made known to them your name, and will make it known; that the love with which you loved me may be in them, and I in them.” John: 17:20-26

Jesus prays for those who are witnesses to his message, like St. Stephen. He prays that they will be with him in heaven. It looks like God is definitely on the side of those who are seeking to spread the gospel. Does that mean we all have to be preachers? Not really. But we can be a living example of what a good Christian is by striving to live as children of God and not of the world. And that will not always be easy. Just ask St. Stephen!

So let us keep our eyes on the prize. As Paul Simon says in his song:

Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shine!

I hope to see you all in heaven where our dreams of eternal life will come true and our glorified bodies will shine as bright as the Son!

John

There is a golden thread that runs through today's Scriptural readings: it is God's love that makes the world go 'round.

ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29 
PS 67:2-3,5,6,8 
REV 21:10-14, 22-23 
JN 14:23-29

I was watching a documentary the other day about Fred Rogers and his PBS show, Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. I was struck by how much this man exuded the love that Jesus expected us to show to everyone, even our enemies. The filmmaker asked Mr. Rogers' son what it was like having him for a father. He said it was like having a second Christ for a father. Wow! Can you imagine someone saying that about us? Yet, this gentle loving soul that was Fred Rogers spent his life loving and healing others, particularly children, but adults as well. 

Jesus told his disciples to let the children come to him, for such were the ones who dwelt in heaven. Well, Fred Rogers spent his whole career welcoming children. But why? Because he loved them. Jesus' whole ministry was about showing God's love to to others. Saint Paul said that a life without love was meaningless. So what is love? Perhaps we should ask, "Who is love?" The answer is God and all those who love others as he loves us. And today's readings give us an amazing look into the working of God's plan throughout salvation history and his love for humanity.

Before the world began, let us imagine God bursting with a love that he wanted to share. Did God need to create us? No, he was totally self-sufficient. He did not need anyone or anything to feel complete. Yet, love can not be contained. It seeks release. And that's why he created us: to know, love and serve him, and spend eternity with him in heaven. 

So, let us travel back through the mists of time to the story of the creation of the world. We see that God was very satisfied with what he had created. "It was good." But it didn't take long for man to rebel and find himself locked out of Paradise. Yet, God's love would not let him abandon his creation. He would one day send his Son, the son of Adam and David, to save us and establish a new covenant between God and man. 

Some men came down from Judea and taught the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised after the custom of Moses, you can’t be saved.” Therefore when Paul and Barnabas had no small discord and discussion with them, they appointed Paul and Barnabas, and some others of them, to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders about this question. 

Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole assembly, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas: Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brothers. They wrote these things by their hand:

“The apostles, the elders, and the brothers, to the brothers who are of the Gentiles in Antioch, Syria, and Cilicia: greetings. Because we have heard that some who went out from us have troubled you with words, unsettling your souls, saying, ‘You must be circumcised and keep the law,’ to whom we gave no commandment; it seemed good to us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men who have risked their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves will also tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things: that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from sexual immorality, from which if you keep yourselves, it will be well with you. Farewell.” ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29 

But first, he would need to prepare us for his coming. In the Old Testament, we see the Jews studying the Torah, trying to follow the 10 Commandments given to Moses, and burdening themselves with over 600 rules in the Mosaic law. In our first reading, we see the Apostles deciding to not force new converts, the Gentiles, to be circumcised which the Mosaic law required. 

Here is a perfect example of how the Old Testament connects to the New Testament: God loves his people and did not want to burden the Gentiles with rules that more often than not impeded man's relationship with his creator. Yet, he did not want to offend the Jews by throwing out all their rituals and customs. (Even Jesus was circumcised, read the Torah, and followed the rules.) So the Holy Spirit inspired the Apostles to keep just four rules: no eating food for idol worship (but Paul will eventually abandon this regulation as well), no eating of strangled animals or meat from which the blood had not been drained, and no illicit marriages. 

So we see that God established new rules that would satisfy the Jews raised in the Mosaic law and the Gentiles who would have balked at circumcision and all those rules. But why did God do it? Out of love. He wanted to create a way for us to re-enter Paradise. And God's way was not hidden. He left footprints, so to speak, through history to show us that he was working on the problem. God was revealing himself and his plan for our salvation by creating a church that was rooted in the past, growing in the present, and destined for glory in the future. ACTS 15:1-2, 22-29 

That your way may be known on earth,
    and your salvation among all nations,
let the peoples praise you, God.
    Let all the peoples praise you.
Oh let the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you will judge the peoples with equity,
    and govern the nations on earth.
Selah.
Let the peoples praise you, God.
    Let all the peoples praise you.
The earth has yielded its increase.
    God, even our own God, will bless us.
God will bless us.
    All the ends of the earth shall fear him. PS 67:2-3,5,6,8

Here in psalm 67 we see that the psalmist was affirming that God would bless his church where all nations, Jewish and Gentile, would come together in fellowship. Yep, another footprint. And yes, God blesses us because he loves us.

He carried me away in the Spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me the holy city, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God. Her light was like a most precious stone, as if it were a jasper stone, clear as crystal; having a great and high wall; having twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels; and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel. On the east were three gates; and on the north three gates; and on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them twelve names of the twelve Apostles of the Lamb.

I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God, the Almighty, and the Lamb, are its temple. The city has no need for the sun, neither of the moon, to shine, for the very glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. REV 21:10-14, 22-23 

In Revelation, John reveals the future church re-established on earth, rooted in the past (the names of the 12 tribes of Israel), connected to the present (the names of the 12 Apostles), and God and his Son, the Son of Adam and David, filling the church with their glory. God's love will be on full display. And, yes, John's revelation is another sign that God is Emmanuel, he is with us.

Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him. He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me. I have said these things to you, while still living with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful. You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I. Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe. JN 14:23-29

Jesus is talking about the Father loving us because we love Jesus. And we should pay attention because Jesus is revealing the Father's words, not his. And to make sure that we understand what the Father is saying, the Father will send the Holy Spirit to instruct his followers and remind them of all that Jesus had preached. And Jesus gives them advanced notice of what his church is going to experience in the immediate future. Again, we see the Father's love for his people revealed through Jesus, and more evidence that the Father was, is and will always be active in his church. 

Who can read these words and not know that God has always loved us, has always been, and will always be with us?

As Mr. Rogers was dying, he asked his wife if she thought that he was a sheep. He was referring to the Last Judgment when Jesus would separate the sheep from the goats. His wife replied that if anyone was a sheep, it was Fred. Rest in peace, Mr. Rogers. We know that you are with God, just as you were when you lived with us on earth. May others say the same about us!

Now go in peace knowing that God loves you.

John

Today's readings are about God's love for us, the persecution we must endure as Christians, and the pure happiness the faithful will enjoy in heaven on earth.

Acts 14:21-27
Psalms 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13
John 13:31-33, 34-35
Revelation 21:1-5

When they had preached the Good News to that city, and had made many disciples, they returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that through many afflictions we must enter into God’s Kingdom. When they had appointed elders for them in every assembly, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

They passed through Pisidia, and came to Pamphylia. When they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia. From there they sailed to Antioch, from where they had been committed to the grace of God for the work which they had fulfilled. When they had arrived, and had gathered the assembly together, they reported all the things that God had done with them, and that he had opened a door of faith to the nations. Acts 14:21-27

Is today's persecution of Christians a new affliction? The earliest Christians were fed to the lions. St. Paul himself was imprisoned, beaten, and beheaded. But Paul encouraged us to keep the faith to win the race, to "enter into God's Kingdom."

[The Lord] is gracious, merciful,
    slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.
9 [The Lord] is good to all.
    His tender mercies are over all his works.
10 All your works will give thanks to you, [Lord].
    Your saints will extol you.
11 They will speak of the glory of your kingdom,
    and talk about your power;
12 to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts,
    the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.
13 Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.
    Your dominion endures throughout all generations.[The Lord] is faithful in all his words,
    and loving in all his deeds. Psalms 145:8-9, 10-11, 12-13

Does God realize how much his people suffer as they try to remain faithful to his precepts? Of course. That's why he is so gracious, merciful, kind and even-tempered. He knows we are weak and will fall many times on our journey. He's always there to pick us up and to nudge us in the right direction if we lose our way. 

Yes, it seems that God grades our efforts on the "curve." Many of us would not have passed some of our college classes if the professor had not graded us on the "curve." I received a "12" on my biology midterm and that turned out be be a "B!" The professor even approached me in the library shortly afterward and asked if I had thought about pursuing a career in science! Who says miracles do not happen today?! Apparently, God was not going to let me fail biology. Thank you, Father, for being so kind and merciful to me in biology! (And no,I did not major in the sciences. I majored in French and Spanish education. A man's got to know his limitations!)

When he had gone out, Jesus said, “Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself, and he will glorify him immediately. Little children, I will be with you a little while longer. You will seek me, and as I said to the Jews, ‘Where I am going, you can’t come,’ so now I tell you. A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:31-33, 34-35

So how are we to treat those who persecute us? We must love them as Jesus loves us. Wow! The Old Testament only required that we love God and our neighbor. Now we must love our enemy as well. We all have been hurt by insensitive and sometimes evil people. We do not forget, but we must forgive. Jesus forgave his enemies from the cross. In the "Lord's Prayer," we beg God to forgive us as we forgive those who offend us. 

The secular world will recognize us as Christians by the way we display our love for others, especially our enemies. I have a strong feeling that Jesus will also judge us at the Judgment Seat according to how we loved and forgave others. Jesus is quoted as saying to a sinner as he cast her into hell, "I do not know you!" In other words, Jesus could not see himself in the sinner who made no attempt to love others as he had loved her. 

I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth have passed away, and the sea is no more. I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride adorned for her husband. I heard a loud voice out of heaven saying, “Behold, God’s dwelling is with people, and he will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away from them every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; neither will there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain, any more. The first things have passed away.”  He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” He said, “Write, for these words of God are faithful and true.” Revelation 21:1-5

And how does our love for others culminate in regard to God? In marriage! We, the Church, are the bride; God is the groom. But unlike our earthly marriage where we promise to love our spouse even in sickness and poverty until death, God pledges to give us nothing but happiness and an end to suffering, pain and mourning. Who would not want a marriage like that?

So let us keep running the race, persevering in our faith, striving to do what right and just, and loving others as Jesus loves us.

May the Lord bless you and protect you. May he look with favor upon you and be gracious to you. May he give you peace by healing you and providing all that you need to live life abundantly.

John

Today's readings portray God as the Good shepherd. But who are the sheep?

Acts 13:14,43-52
Psalm 100:1-3,5
Rev 7:9,14-17
John 10:27-30


But they, passing on from Perga, came to Antioch of Pisidia. They went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and sat down. 

Now when the synagogue broke up, many of the Jews and of the devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas; who, speaking to them, urged them to continue in the grace of God. The next Sabbath almost the whole city was gathered together to hear the word of God. But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with jealousy, and contradicted the things which were spoken by Paul, and blasphemed.

Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that God’s word should be spoken to you first. Since indeed you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord commanded us, saying,

‘I have set you as a light for the Gentiles,
    that you should bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth.’”

As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God. As many as were appointed to eternal life believed. The Lord’s word was spread abroad throughout all the region. But the Jews stirred up the devout and prominent women and the chief men of the city, and stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas, and threw them out of their borders. But they shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came to Iconium. The disciples were filled with joy with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:14,43-52

In this chapter of Acts, we see once again that it is God's grace that leads people to conversion. The Jews, fearful of losing control, refused to believe, but the Greeks (Gentiles), inspired by the Holy Spirit, were receptive to the words of Paul, the shepherd. 

Shout for joy to [the Lord], all you lands!
2     Serve [the Lord] with gladness.
    Come before his presence with singing.
3 Know that [the lord], he is God.
    It is he who has made us, and we are his.
    We are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving,
    into his courts with praise.
    Give thanks to him, and bless his name.
5 For [the lord] is good.
    His loving kindness endures forever,
    his faithfulness to all generations. Psalm 100:1-3,5

Psalm 100 is a song of thanksgiving to God, the Shepherd, by the Gentiles ("all the lands") for the mercy and care he bestows on his people, both Jew and Gentile. They acknowledge that God chose them by grace ("he made us") to become his followers ("the sheep of his pasture") and they accepted ("we are his"). Moreover, God's loving care will continue through all future generations.


After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude, which no man could number, out of every nation and of all tribes, peoples, and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, dressed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.

I told him, “My lord, you know.”

He said to me, “These are those who came out of the great tribulation. They washed their robes, and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. Therefore they are before the throne of God, they serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them. They will never be hungry, neither thirsty any more; neither will the sun beat on them, nor any heat; for the Lamb who is in the middle of the throne shepherds them, and leads them to springs of waters of life. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” Rev 7:9,14-17

John sees all God's children, Jew and Gentile, in heaven standing before the throne of Jesus, the Lamb, whose sacrificial blood has saved them.  Like the Good Shepherd, Jesus will satisfy all his sheep's needs. There will be no more hunger, thirst, or suffering of any kind. Because of Jesus, the sheep will drink from "springs of waters of (eternal) life."

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give eternal life to them. They will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one is able to snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” John 10:27-30

John depicts the sheep as those who were called by Jesus and believed, i.e., their hearts were opened by grace and they accepted Jesus as their savior. Eternal life is now theirs and the evil one will never again be in a position to ensnare their souls. And by whose authority does Jesus speak? His own and God's, for He and the Father are one! Alleluia!

Now go and sanctify your life by loving and serving God and one another!

John