First Reading

First reading

Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

On the day of Pentecost, Peter stood up with the Eleven before the crowd, and raising his voice, he said: «Let all Israel know with absolute certainty that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.»

These words struck them to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles: «What must we do, brothers?» Peter replied: «Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.»

With many other words he bore witness and urged them: «Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.» Those who accepted his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
 

Second reading

Reading from the first letter of the apostle Saint Peter 

1 Peter 2:20b-25

Brothers: If you endure suffering for doing what is right, you are blessed. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps.

He committed no sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth; when he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.

By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

Gospel

Reading from the holy Gospel according to Saint John

John 10:1-10

At that time, Jesus said to the Pharisees: «Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber; but whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice, as he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.»

Although Jesus used this figure of speech, they did not realize what he was trying to tell them. So Jesus said again, «Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.»