Fourth Sunday of Easter, C
Acts 13: 14, 43-52
Psalm 100
Revelation 7: 9, 14b-17
John 10: 27-30

This Sunday, in all three cycles of the Lectionary, we reflect on the image of Jesus as the “Good Shepherd.” In the first reading from Acts, Paul and Barnabas are preaching the Good News in Antioch of Pisidia, going first (as was their custom) to the local synagogue. When received with abuse, they respond, “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first, but since you reject it…we now turn to the Gentiles.” The reading ends with the statement, “The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.” The Responsorial Psalm picks up on this joy: “Sing joyfully to the Lord, all you lands; serve the Lord with gladness, come before Him with joyful song.” The refrain, however, ties the psalm to the Good Shepherd theme: “We are His people, the sheep of His flock.” The Second Reading (from Revelation) presents those who have suffered and died for the sake of the Lamb, and tells us, “The Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and bring them to springs of life-giving water.” (Baptismal imagery, indeed!) The Gospel has Jesus saying, “My sheep hear My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.” Saint Gregory the Great, in one of his homilies, says: “So our Lord’s sheep will finally reach their grazing ground where all who follow Him in simplicity of heart will feed on the green pastures of eternity. These pastures are the spiritual joys of heaven…let us set out for these pastures…let us stir up our hearts, rekindle our faith, and long eagerly for what heaven has in store for us. To love thus is to be already on our way.” (Homilia 14)

Lamb of God, our faithful Shepherd
Throned upon the Throne of Life,
Lead us to the springs of water;
Wipe away the tears of strife!
Numberless, the ones You’ve ransomed,
Robed in white, with palms in hand,
In Your presence they adore You,
Worship You, before You stand.

Jew and Gentile, both together,
Called to witness to the Light,
Being light themselves and sent forth
To a world that lives in night.
We are called to be His people,
Joined in glad and joyful song,
Singing of the Lord’s own goodness,
Seeking truth and righting wrong.

May we hear Your voice, O Shepherd,
That we know and follow You,
And remain within Your sheepfold,
One with You and God so true.
Spreading Gospel teaching gladly,
Telling all about Your love,
Give us grace to witness boldly
Of Your mercy from above.
87.87. D
Suggested tune: Pleading Savior


The psalms for this week’s Liturgy of the Hours are taken from Week IV, using the Easter antiphons. Everything from the reading on is taken from the Proper of the Season.

Propers from the Roman Gradual

The risen Messiah is the good shepherd, and we rejoice in his care by singing the Introit, that exults in the Lord’s loving kindness. Peter and John, curing the cripple in the temple, certainly echoed the Offertory, “I will lift up my hands in your Name.” The Communion is taken from the Gospel for the day.

Introit: Misericordia Domini (Ps. 33:5b-6a, 1)
The loving-kindness of the Lord fills the whole earth, alleluia;
by the word of the Lord were the heavens made, alelluia, alleluia.
Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous;
it is good for the just to sing praises.

Offertory: Deus, Deus meus (Ps. 63:1a,4b)
O God, you are my God, eagerly I seek you,
and I will lift up my hands in your Name, alleluia.

Communion: Ego sum pastor bonus (Jn. 10:14)
(matches the Gospel in Year B)
I am the good shepherd, alleluia:
and I know my sheep and my sheep know me, alleluia, alleluia.

Propers from the Simple Gradual

Easter suite I, BFW 158–166, is especially suitable this Sunday,
or Easter suite II, BFW 167–174.

Entrance: BFW 158 (I am the good shepherd . . . )
or BFW 212 (Learn from me for I am gentle and lowly of heart),
adding the concluding alleluia from BFW p. 378, III
Response: BFW 504
(used as an alleluia psalm by adding any alleluia in Mode VIIIG,
such as BFW 162 or BFW 447
or alleluia psalm BFW 160 or BFW 161, or BFW169 or BFW 170
Gospel acclamation BFW 162
Offertory: BFW 163 (For you I watch, O Lord . . . )
Communion: BFW 158 (I am the good shepherd . . . )
or BFW 212 (Learn from me for I am gentle and lowly of heart),
adding the concluding alleluia from BFW p. 378, III