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4th Sunday of Easter Year C - Good Shepherd Sunday

Sunday May 11, 2025

Mass Readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday)

  • First ReadingActs 13:14, 43: "The Gentiles were delighted when they heard this and glorified the word of the Lord. All who were destined for eternal life came to believe, and the word of the Lord continued to spread through the whole region."
  • Responsorial PsalmPsalm 100: "We are his people, the sheep of his flock."
  • Second ReadingRevelation 7:9, 14B-17: "I, John, had a vision of a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people, and tongue. They stood before the throne and before the Lamb, wearing white robes and holding palm branches in their hands."
  • Gospel - John 10:27-30: "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. give them eternal life, and they shall never perish."

Themes for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday)

The readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday) remind us that Jesus loves the whole world and calls to all people to follow him. In the first reading, Paul and Barnabas are rejected by many Jewish communities they visit and they turn to the Gentiles. The second reading describes people from all over the world worshiping the Lamb of God. And in the gospel, Jesus declares that he knows his sheep and they know him and they cannot be separated.

  • Jesus the Good Shepherd
  • Listening to the voice of God
  • Immigration
  • Relationships with other faiths
  • How we worship God

See the Homilies and Reflections section and the More Thoughts section for further expansion on these readings and some reflection questions for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday).

Resources for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday)

I Hear My Shepherd A Lesson Plan on Listening to God
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I Hear My Shepherd - A Lesson Plan on Listening to God

This lesson plan will help youth understand that we need to put some effort into listening to God. We won't be able to hear him if there are a lot of distractions in our lives. Youth will also learn how the Examen can be used to listen to God.

Examen
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The Daily Examen

The Daily Examen is a powerful prayer developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola. It encourages us to look at our day and reflect how God is speaking to us in our experiences and emotions. The Examen helps with listening to God is moving in our lives and speaking to us through everyday encounters.

I am yours Based on Psalm 100
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I Am Yours

This prayer is based on Psalm 100, which is the responsorial psalm for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday). It is a prayer which recognizes that God is our creator and that he cares for us. We are in good hands.

The Book of Revelation
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Understanding the Book of Revelation

Understanding the Book of Revelation can be difficult. Every time we participate in the Eucharistic celebration we are actually taking part in a liturgy where heaven intersects with earth.
11/18/2021 1:00 PM

Shepherd’s Voice Game

This game helps youth understand the importance of listening. Each group of sheep must listen to their shepherd's voice and follow it. It also goes well with a lesson on sticking together in community. The group of sheep will find it easier to get home if they stay together.

Homilies and Reflections for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday)

The Good Shepherd

Bishop Robert Barron explains that one of the most enduring and endearing images of Jesus is that of the good shepherd who guides and lays down his life for his sheep. We cannot be indifferent in regard to him. We have to give our whole selves to him, without compromise or hesitation. Once we hear his voice, we have to drop everything and follow.

The Imperialism of the Martyrs

The book of Revelation is an unveiling of a new state of affairs, the new things that are on offer in light of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Though it looks like worldly power holds sway, real power belongs to the army of those who have chosen to follow the crucified and risen Savior. The martyrs have come from all corners of the world, and they have spoken many languages. And this is the army that, up and down the centuries, has undermined the foundations of the fallen world. This is the great fighting force that Jesus has unleashed and continues to unleash.

Shepherd and the Lamb

Scott Hahn reflects that the Lamb is the eternal Shepherd-King, the son of David foretold by the prophets. His Church is the kingdom of all Israel that the prophets said would be restored in an everlasting covenant. It is not a kingdom any tribe or nation can jealously claim as theirs alone.

Jesus the Faithful Lamb of God

Jeff Cavins explains that the gospel for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday) is very short, but powerful. God speaks to us, but we need to listen. What are two ways we can hear the voice of God?

More Thoughts for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday)

This passage in the Gospel of John takes place before the resurrection. Jesus and his disciples are in Jerusalem celebrating Hanukkah. As part of this celebration, there is traditionally a reading from the Book of Numbers where Moses hears the voice of God. (Numbers 7:89) So it would have been natural for Jesus to talk about how his sheep hear his voice.

In the Book of Numbers, only Moses hears the voice of God. But Jesus wants the whole world to hear his voice. His radical inclusiveness is something new. In the past, only priests and prophets normally heard the voice of God.

God is speaking to us, but we need to listen. The distractions of the world grab our attention and keep us from actively listening to God. We must find places and times of silence so we can focus on God's message to us.

Reflection Questions for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday)

  • When are some times when I have heard my shepherd's voice?
  • What distractions make it difficult to listen?
  • Do I believe that Jesus calls to all of us?

Quotes and Social Media Graphics for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year C (Good Shepherd Sunday)

we are his people
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We are his people, the sheep of his flock. - Psalm 100:3

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Comments

One response to “4th Sunday of Easter Year C - Good Shepherd Sunday”

  1. Evelyn H. Holmes- Owens Avatar
    Evelyn H. Holmes- Owens

    Lord, God Almighty we praise thy name all the day long 🙏.

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