Sunday April 21, 2024
GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
Office: Psalter Week 4,. Te Deum
Mass prop. Gloria. Creed
Preface of Easter
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: Glorious Mystery
Vespers II of the 4th Sunday of Easter
Click HERE for the Previous Catholic Daily Reading
Theme of the Sunday: THE GOOD SHEPHERD IS ONE WHO LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE.
Every year the Liturgy of the Fourth Sunday after Easter presents the theme of the “Good Shepherd.” The gospel considers the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. The second reading tells us of the gift of life God gives to all. The Christian should not be afraid to give his life. He knows that death cannot destroy the life that God has given him. On the contrary, it is necessary for the fullness of life to be revealed. The first reading is also linked to this theme, the central part of which describes what happened to Christ the “true shepherd.”
VOCATION SUNDAY: TODAY, SPECIAL PRAYERS SHOULD BE OFFERED FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND THE RELIGIOUS LIFE.
FIRST READING
“There is no other name by which we must be saved.”
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 4: 8-12)
In those days: Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said, “Rulers of the people and elders, if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a cripple, by what means this man has been healed, be it known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by him this man is standing before you well. This is the stone which was rejected by you builders, but which has become the cornerstone. And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
The word of the Lord.
Also Read: Daily Reading for Saturday, April 20th, 2024
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Psalm 118: 1 and 5-9.21-23.26 and 28-29 (R. 22)
R/. The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.
Or: Alleluia.
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever.
It is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in man;
it is better to take refuge in the Lord
than to trust in princes. R/.
I will thank you, for you have answered,
and you are my saviour.
The stone that the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone.
By the Lord has this been done,
a marvel in our eyes. R/.
Blest is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.
We bless you from the house of the Lord.
You are my God, I praise you.
My God, I exalt you.
Give praise to the Lord, for he is good;
his mercy endures forever. R/.
SECOND READING
“We shall see God as he is.”
A reading from the first Letter of Saint John (1 John 3: 1-2)
Beloved: See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now; it does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
The word of the Lord.
ALLELUIA John 10:14
Alleluia. I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my own, and my own know me. Alleluia.
GOSPEL
“The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to John (John 10:11-18)
At that time: Jesus said, “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. He who is a hireling and not a shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees; and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. He flees because he is a hireling and cares nothing for the sheep. I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd. For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; this charge I have received from my Father.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
PRAYER OF THE FAITHFUL
Celebrant:
In his deep love for us, Christ, the Good shepherd, laid down his life for us, his sheep, that we may have eternal life. Let us pray for the grace to always follow his lead in every aspect of our lives.
FOR OUR CHURCH LEADERS:that God may grant N…, our Pope, N…, our Bishop and all bishops and priests, the grace to be true shepherds of his flock. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OUR GOVERNMENT: that God, who gave them the mantle of leadership, may make them faithful in promoting the good of the people they have been called to serve. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR CHRISTIANS STRIVING FOR PERFECTION: that, through the power of Christ’s Resurrection, we may be granted the grace to triumph over our weaknesses and to attain eternal life at the end of time. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR VOCATIONS TO THE PRIESTHOOD AND RELIGIOUS LIFE: that God may raise from among our communities, men and women who will give their lives in service to humanity as priests and religious. Let us pray to the Lord.
FOR OTHER INTENTIONS: (the sick, church projects or other activities).
FOR THE DEAD, ESPECIALLY THOSE OF OUR PARISH COMMUNITY AND FAMILY MEMBERS: that they may find eternal rest with the Lord. Let us pray to the Lord.
We pray in silence for our private intentions.
Celebrant:
All-powerful and ever-living God, your love for us knows no bounds. Grant us the grace to always follow you in loving obedience, so that after our earthly journey, we may come to praise you in heaven for eternity. Through Christ our Lord.
R/. Amen.
TODAY’S REFLECTION
Peter tells the elders and the entire Jewish people that, “of all the names give to human beings in the world”, Jesus’ name “is the only name by which we can be saved”. Name indicates character and identity. The name ‘Jesus’ means Saviour (cf Matthew 1: 21). Unfortunately, today people invoke Jesus’ name for promoting all kinds of advertisements. Scripture says, “At the name of Jesus every knee should bow” in praise to God for saving us through Him (Phil 2:11). Today is ‘Good Shepherd Sunday’. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, knows and cares for us intimately and selflessly. The second reading reminds us of God’s incredible love in making us His children. We ought to care selflessly for others as Jesus cares for us to prove we are really and truly children of God who “is love” (1 Jn 4:8, 16).
PERSONAL DEVOTIONAL
The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
– Ask for mercy for the times you refused to accept God’s task or left it uncompleted.
– Pray for the grace and anointing to finish your Christian race well and strong.
– Tell God about that particular divine task assigned to you and the difficulties you are facing.
– Pray for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit to complete that physical project/work He has started in you
– Pray against all evil forces working to prevent you from completing your task, in your family, office, church.
Let Us Pray,
Holy Father, in the name of Jesus, I cry out for your mercy and forgiveness of my sins. I repent and renounce all of them. Forgive me, my God, for offending your image and likeness in me, for offending this same image and likeness in my neighbour.
I proclaim that you are my God and Lord, the one who saves, sustains, exalts, protects, and leads me, in whom I put all my hope and trust. For everything I have received from you, I give you glory and thanks; for everything I am yet to receive, I praise and bless you. Amen, Alleluia
