4TH Sunday of Easter

READINGS

Acts 2:14a, 36–41 The promise is made to all.
Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd;
there is nothing I shall want.”
1 Peter 2:20b–25 Jesus bore our sins upon the cross.
John 10:1–10 Jesus is the gate for the sheep.   

The image of sheep dominates the readings today. The early church was just a fledgling flock when Peter’s testimony inspired thousands to
“repent and be baptized.” Later, Peter commends the sheep for returning to the care of the shepherd after they had gone astray. In the Gospel,
Jesus begins the story of the Good Shepherd. “The sheep hear his voice,” he says, and follow him. Let us listen for his voice in today’s readings.                      Since sheep from several flocks were gathered in the same sheepfold, sheep had to be able to pick out the voice of their own shepherd. We sometimes
struggle ourselves to distinguish the voice of the Good Shepherd from among all the voices we hear in our lives, from our friends and neighbors to those on
television or online. Let us become attuned to Jesus’ voice and pray for the grace to recognize what he is calling us to do and be.
How is the Good Shepherd calling me? For what do I need to seek forgiveness
so I can be reunited with the flock?