Sunday, April 25, 2021
FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER
This Sunday in the Church Year is often called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The appointed Psalm for the day is Psalm 23, which is among the most well-known psalms. The Gospel from John 10 records Jesus revealing Himself as the Good Shepherd. While fewer and fewer people are familiar with what it is like to take care of sheep, this metaphor of God’s protection and provision has become a great source of comfort and hope. God grant that you find such blessed comfort as you dwell securely here in the house of the Lord.
READINGS
FIRST READING: Acts 4:1–12 (Peter proclaims Jesus as the stone that was rejected and has become the cornerstone.)
Psalm 23
EPISTLE: 1 John 3:16–24
(Love one another as Christ has loved us.)
HOLY GOSPEL: John 10:11–18
(Jesus is our Good Shepherd.)
PRAYER OF THE DAY
Let us pray. Almighty God, merciful Father, since You have wakened from death the Shepherd of Your sheep, grant us Your Holy Spirit that when we hear the voice of our Shepherd we may know Him who calls us each by name and follow where He leads; through the same Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.