Catholic Daily Reading + Reflection: 25 April 2021 – Good Shepherd Sunday

Mass Readings for Sunday April 25, 2021

Fourth Sunday of Easter (B)
GOOD SHEPHERD SUNDAY
Vestment: White
Today’s Rosary: Glorious Mystery

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.

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
Christ the shepherd brings us life.

PRIEST: My brothers and sisters Christ, the Good Shepherd who laid down his life for his sheep, has risen again to bring us new life. Let us ask God our Father to bless all those whom he has appointed to guard and guide us in our journey through life.

READER:
WE PRAY FOR THE LEADERS OF THE CHURCH, (pause) may they, like the Good Shepherd, always seek to lead their flocks to good pasture, where they can feed on God’s holy word and on the Eucharist. (pause) Lord, hear us; and lead us always we pray Oh Lord.

FOR THOSE IN CHARGE OF CIVIL AFFAIRS, (pause) may they never hinder anyone from exercising freedom of conscience in the practice of their religion, but seek, in all things, to provide a suitable setting on which Christ’ saving gospel may be preached. (pause) Lord, hear us; and lead us always we pray Oh Lord.

FOR THOSE DEPRIVED OF BISHOPS AND PRIESTS TO MINISTER TO THEM, (pause) may they always know that Christ himself is the gate of the sheepfold, and as a good shepherd, is never absent from those who believe in him. (pause) Lord, hear us; and lead us always we pray Oh Lord.

FOR MISSIONARIES EVERYWHERE, (pause) by our prayers and material support, may we help missionaries to continue the work of the Good Shepherd, who came that everyone might have life to the full. (pause) Lord, hear us; and lead us always we pray Oh Lord.

We pray in silence for our own intentions.

PRIEST: Father, may we never stray far from you, but follow wherever you lead us. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Today’s Reflection

Peter tells the elders and the entire Jewish people that, “of all the names given 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).