|  | Israel’s mission - to be God’s instrument of salvation to the ends of the earth (see Isaiah 49:6) - is fulfilled in the Church. |
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| | By the “Word of God” that Paul and Barnabas preach in today’s First Reading, a new covenant people is being born |
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| | In laying down His life for His flock, the Lamb brought to pass a new Passover |
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| | by His blood freeing “every nation, race, people and tongue” from bondage to sin and death. |
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| | The Lamb rules from the throne of God, sheltering His flock, feeding their hunger with His own Body and Blood, leading them to “springs of life-giving waters” that well up to eternal life |
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| | The Lamb is the eternal Shepherd-King, the son of David foretold by the prophets. |
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| | His Church is the Kingdom of all Israel that the prophets said would be restored in an everlasting covenant |
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| | The Shepherd’s Word to Israel is addressed now to all lands, calling all to worship and bless His name in the heavenly Temple. |
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| | This is the delight of the Gentiles - that we can sing the song that once only Israel could sing. |
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