First Reading: (Acts 11:1–18)
Responsorial Psalm: (Psalm 42:2–3; 43:3–4)
Response: “My soul is thirsting for you, the living God.”
Alleluia: (John 10:14)
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
Gospel: (John 10:11–18)
Reflection:
Today, Christ reveals something both comforting and challenging: “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead” (John 10:16).
We just celebrated the Good Shepherd Sunday, where Jesus presents Himself not just as a leader, but as a shepherd who knows, protects, and sacrifices for His sheep. He does not abandon them when danger comes. He does not run like a hired hand. Instead, He lays down His life.
But today, He expands the vision.
He tells us clearly: there are other sheep, not of this fold, yet they still belong to Him.
This changes how we must see others.
Very often, we become comfortable within our own “fold”, our church, our denomination, our group. We begin to think in terms of “us” verses “them.” But Christ does not speak that way. He sees all as His own, even those not yet gathered.
The question becomes personal:
How do we treat Christians from other denominations?
How do we relate to people of other religions?
Do we welcome, or do we judge?
Do we build unity, or do we deepen division?
We live in a world where religion, instead of uniting, often divides. There are places where people are persecuted, attacked, or rejected simply because they believe differently. We also see quieter forms of division, mockery, criticism, refusal to understand one another.
Even among Christians, there can be tension. Catholic against Protestant. One denomination against another. And yet Christ says: “There will be one flock, one shepherd.”
That unity is not our creation, it is God’s desire.
The Church, through efforts like ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, tries to live this out. Not by forcing belief, but by fostering respect, understanding, and openness. True faith is never imposed, it is proposed with love.
Christ Himself models this openness. He does not reject the “other sheep.” He seeks them.
And so we must examine ourselves in everyday life:
As parents: Do we bring all our children together, even the difficult ones?
As leaders: Do we include everyone, or only those who agree with us?
As teachers: Do we care for the struggling student, or only the strong?
As individuals: Do we make space for others, or expect them to become exactly like us?
Christ does not discard. He gathers.
One of the fundamental human rights is the freedom to practice one’s religion. Yet intolerance still exists. This goes against the very heart of Christ, who came to gather, not scatter.
We spend too much time asking: Who is the true sheep? Who belongs more?
Meanwhile, the Shepherd Himself is ready to lead all.
The call today is simple but demanding:
Be open.
Be accommodating.
Be respectful.
“Live and let live” is not weakness, it reflects the patience and mercy of God.
Being in a different fold does not make someone an enemy. Christ is still their Shepherd.
So instead of fighting over who belongs, let us focus on being faithful sheep wherever we are, trusting that Christ, the Good Shepherd, is capable of leading all into one flock.
Amen
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