Commentary Intro to Mass Readings Sunday Readings
CommentaryIntro to Mass Readings Sunday Readings
April 26, 2026
4th Sunday of Easter (A)

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Scripture Study for Catholics *
Hearers of the Word *

Hector Molina

Matt Zemanek
PARISH BIBLE STUDY (St. Timothy Catholic Church, Laguna Niguel, CA)

Acts 2:14a, 36-41
4th Sunday of Easter (A)
INSIGHTS FOR HOMILY
PREPARATION
The Challenge of
Salvation
The first proclamation of the Good News on Pentecost wasn’t just a speech; it was a cosmic shift in perspective. As Peter stood before the crowds, he laid out a radical roadmap for salvation that transformed the tragedy of the crucifixion into the triumphant starting point of the “end times.” For those tasked with breaking open the Word this Sunday, Larry Broding’s commentary offers a profound deep dive into the mechanics of Peter’s message, helping you bridge the gap between an ancient Judean crowd and a modern congregation seeking spiritual renewal.
Why this commentary matters for your homily:
- A Three-Part Proclamation: Gain clarity on Peter’s structured approach, from explaining the sign of “tongues” to the apologetic exposition of the Messiah’s death and resurrection.
- The Weight of Universal Responsibility: Explore the provocative idea that guilt and salvation transcend personal borders, challenging your listeners to see the Good News as a universal necessity.
- The Anatomy of Metanoia: Broding breaks down the three essential steps for joining the community of the saved—radical change of heart (metanoia), public baptism, and the active anticipation of the Holy Spirit.
- A Shift in Outlook: Move your congregation from a “moment of despair” regarding the cross to seeing it as the spark of the Spirit’s ongoing empowerment in the world today.
- The Promise of the Diaspora: Understand how the gift of the Spirit extends through generations and geographies, ensuring every member of your flock feels included in God’s ancient promise.
Read Larry Broding’s full commentary to help your congregation see the world through Peter’s eyes and recognize how today is an active part of God’s unfolding end-times promise.
GO DEEPER
CATHOLIC AI PROMPTS FOR HOMILY PREPARATION

To assist in crafting a homily that is both theologically rigorous and pastorally sensitive, a preacher might ask an AI assistant the following questions (simply copy and paste a question into chat bot in the lower right corner of the page):
- Theological Synthesis: “How can I explain the connection between the ‘tongues’ of Pentecost and the prophecy in Joel 2:28-32 in a way that resonates with a modern audience?”
- Exegetical Support: “Can you provide a breakdown of how Peter uses Psalm 16 and Psalm 110 to prove the necessity of the Resurrection to his Jewish listeners?”
- Applying Metanoia: “What are some practical, everyday examples of metanoia (change of heart, mind, and lifestyle) that I can use to challenge my congregation to move away from the ‘way of the world’?”
- The Concept of Universal Guilt: “How can I sensitively preach on Peter’s idea of ‘universal guilt’ regarding the crucifixion without sounding accusatory or causing modern-day misunderstandings?”
- Sacramental Theology: “How does the ‘public’ nature of baptism in Acts 2 compare to our current understanding of the Sacrament of Initiation and its role in joining the ‘community of the end times’?”
- Bridging History: “What is the historical significance of the ‘Diaspora’ mentioned in Peter’s speech, and how can I relate that to the diverse or ‘scattered’ nature of my parish today?”
- Eschatological Perspective: “How can I explain the Catholic view of the ‘end times’ as starting at the Resurrection rather than just being a future event of fear or destruction?”
- Homiletic Illustrations: “Can you suggest an opening story or analogy that illustrates a radical ‘change in outlook’—moving from a place of despair to a place of spiritual empowerment?”
- Contemporary Connection: “In what specific ways can we see the Holy Spirit ‘active’ in the Church today, mirroring the empowerment the Apostles experienced on Pentecost?”
- Call to Action: “What are three reflective questions I can ask at the end of my homily to help my parishioners determine if they are living in ‘anticipation’ of the Spirit’s gifts?”

1 Peter 2:20b-25
4th Sunday of Easter (A)
INSIGHTS FOR HOMILY
PREPARATION
Follow in the
Footsteps of Jesus
While the core tenets of the faith are simple enough for a child to recite, the reality of living them out—especially when faced with suffering—is where the “way gets tough.” Larry Broding’s commentary provides a powerful framework for preachers to address the gritty reality of the Christian lifestyle, moving beyond abstract doctrine into the transformative power of breaking the cycle of sin. It offers the theological depth needed to help a congregation understand how Christ’s endurance of evil wasn’t just a historical event, but a blueprint for their own daily victories.
Why this commentary matters for your homily:
- Breaking the Cycle of Sin: Gain insights into how to preach on Christ’s unique response to suffering as the definitive break in the cycle of abuse, lies, and oppression.
- From Doctrine to Lifestyle: Explore ways to translate the simple “Christ died for us” into a practical guide for parishioners facing their own “tough life” situations.
- The Power of Non-Retaliation: Access a deeper understanding of 1 Peter’s call to avoid deceit and threats, providing your audience with a counter-cultural model for handling conflict.
- Walking in His Footsteps: Develop the theme of “suffering to prevail,” helping your congregation see their challenges not as signs of defeat, but as opportunities to follow the Shepherd’s path.
- Strengthening the Faithful: Find inspiration to craft a message that doesn’t just acknowledge pain but offers the strength of Christ’s victory as a source of endurance.
Read Larry Broding’s full commentary to help your congregation break the cycle of evil and find the strength to remain faithful even when the path is difficult.
GO DEEPER
CATHOLIC AI PROMPTS FOR HOMILY PREPARATION

To assist in crafting a homily that is both theologically rigorous and pastorally sensitive, a preacher might ask an AI assistant the following questions (simply copy and paste a question into chat bot in the lower right corner of the page):
- Defining the “Cycle of Sin”: “Can you provide contemporary sociological or psychological examples of the ‘cycle of sin’ (like the oppressed becoming the oppressor) to help the congregation visualize what Christ is breaking?”
- Theological Nuance: “How does 1 Peter 2:21-25 specifically distinguish between ‘deserved’ suffering and ‘undeserved’ suffering in the context of Christian lifestyle?”
- Exegetical Depth: “In the phrase ‘By his wounds you have been healed,’ how does the original Greek or the context of the ‘Suffering Servant’ in Isaiah 53 deepen the meaning of this healing?”
- Practical Application: “What are three concrete ways a modern person can ‘give their life to the Father’ instead of reacting with deceit or threats when they are treated unfairly at work or in a relationship?”
- Biblical Imagery: “How can I use the image of ‘sheep going astray’ versus ‘returning to the Shepherd’ to illustrate the transition from a reactive life of sin to a proactive life of righteousness?”
- Saints as Examples: “Can you suggest stories of saints or modern-day figures who successfully ‘broke the cycle’ of retaliation or abuse through their faith in Christ?”
- Addressing the “Tough Way”: “How can I address the ‘toughness’ of the Christian lifestyle without making it sound like a burden, but rather a path to true freedom?”
- Connecting to the Liturgy: “How does the message of Christ bearing our sins in His body on the cross connect to the Liturgy of the Eucharist we are celebrating today?”
- Pastoral Sensitivity: “How should I approach the topic of suffering for the ‘good of others’ so that it provides comfort to those in pain rather than sounding like a dismissal of their struggle?”
- Reflective Conclusion: “Can you help me draft a concluding prayer or reflection that asks for the strength to ‘walk in the footsteps of Jesus’ specifically when we feel tempted to strike back?”

John 10:1-10
4th Sunday of Easter (A)
INSIGHTS FOR HOMILY
PREPARATION
The Shepherd and
Sheep Gate
To preach on the “Good Shepherd” is to touch one of the most beloved images in the Christian heart, yet the historical reality behind John’s Gospel is far more provocative than a simple pastoral scene. Larry Broding’s commentary uncovers the hidden political and religious tensions of first-century Palestine, revealing how Jesus used the imagery of shepherds, thieves, and robbers to launch a direct polemic against the leadership of his day. By reading this commentary, preachers can move beyond the “Sunday School” version of this parable and offer their congregation a gritty, life-changing choice between the rigid “fence” of the Law and the intimate, life-giving voice of the True Shepherd.
Why this commentary matters for your homily:
- The Shadow of the Hasmoneans: Discover the fascinating historical theory connecting the “thief and robber” to the corrupt Maccabean kings, providing a powerful analogy for leaders who use messianic language for personal power.
- The Urban Sheepfold: Gain a clearer architectural understanding of the stone-walled courtyards of Jerusalem, helping you paint a more accurate and vivid picture of the “gatekeeper” and the communal protection of the flock.
- Thieves vs. Terrorists: Unpack the specific Greek nuances between a “thief” (one who uses stealth) and a “robber” (one who uses intimidation), and how these traits applied to the Pharisees’ leadership style.
- The “Fence” of the Law: Contrast the Pharisees’ approach of “legislating fidelity” with Jesus’ approach of “relational trust,” providing a clear theological distinction for your parishioners who feel burdened by “rules” rather than inspired by faith.
- A Scandalous Metaphor: Explore why a “shepherd” was actually a shocking and morally questionable choice of a title in Jesus’ time, adding a layer of radical humility and counter-cultural depth to your message.
- Universal Hope for Outcasts: Learn how Jesus’ “Good Shepherd” message broke the parochial boundaries of the time to offer a universal path to God for the sinner, the slave, and the Gentile alike.
Read Larry Broding’s full commentary to help your congregation distinguish between the voices that seek to intimidate them and the one True Voice that calls them each by name.
GO DEEPER
CATHOLIC AI PROMPTS FOR HOMILY PREPARATION

To assist in crafting a homily that is both theologically rigorous and pastorally sensitive, a preacher might ask an AI assistant the following questions (simply copy and paste a question into chat bot in the lower right corner of the page):
- Historical Context of the Hasmoneans: “Can you provide more detail on the Hasmonean dynasty’s corruption so I can illustrate why the ‘robber-marauder’ image would have been so scandalous and recognizable to Jesus’ audience?”
- Greek Etymology: “How do the Greek words for ‘thief’ (kleptēs) and ‘robber’ (lēstēs) specifically apply to the way the Pharisees were treating the man born blind in the preceding chapter?”
- The Shepherd’s Reputation: “Could you find historical or cultural references from the first century that support the idea that shepherds were seen as untrustworthy or immoral? I want to highlight the humility of Jesus’ chosen metaphor.”
- Visualizing the Sheepfold: “Describe the layout of a typical Judean communal courtyard or ‘urban sheepfold’ so I can help my congregation visualize the difference between the legitimate gate and those ‘climbing over the wall.'”
- The “Fence Around the Torah”: “What are some specific examples of the ‘multiplicity of guidelines’ the Pharisees created to protect the Law, and how did these inadvertently ‘steal hope’ from the outcasts?”
- Relational vs. Legal Fidelity: “How can I explain the shift from ‘fidelity through adherence’ to ‘fidelity through relationship’ in a way that encourages parishioners who feel they aren’t ‘good enough’ at following the rules?”
- The Power of the Voice: “In a world full of ‘digital noise’ and competing influencers, how can I use the image of the sheep ‘knowing his voice’ to teach discernment in daily prayer?”
- The Universal Shepherd: “How does the ‘universal’ message of Jesus as the Good Shepherd specifically challenge the ‘parochial’ or exclusive tendencies we might see in our own modern parish communities?”
- Connecting the Blind Man: “Since John 10 follows the healing of the man born blind, how can I use his excommunication as a concrete example of the ‘thief and robber’ in action?”
- Modern ‘Thieves and Robbers’: “What are some modern-day ‘robber-marauders’—ideologies or leaders—that promise liberation but ultimately ‘steal, kill, and destroy’ the spiritual peace of the faithful?”
















