21 April 2024| 4th Sunday of Easter

 Acts 4:8-12, 1 Jn 3:1-2

Gospel Jn 10:11-18

Jesus said:

"I am the good shepherd.

A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

A hired man, who is not a shepherd

and whose sheep are not his own,

sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,

and the wolf catches and scatters them.

This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd,

and I know mine and mine know me,

just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;

and I will lay down my life for the sheep.

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.

These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,

and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

This is why the Father loves me,

because I lay down my life in order to take it up again.

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down on my own.

I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.

This command I have received from my Father."

Reflections:

Jesus said to the Jews, "I am the good shepherd. Jesus is the model shepherd because he knows his sheep personally and gives his life for them. Jesus' words reflect the good shepherd of Psalm 23. Having such a shepherd, we should live confidently, that is, with trust and faith. At times when things seem dark and hopeless, we must look to God's loving provision.  

Action: 

Examine how much you trust in God’s providence, leading you to a calmness in all that happens.