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I AM THE GOOD SHEPHERD

4TH SUNDAY OF EASTER: Universalis
The rejected Stone

First Reading Acts 4:8-12 The name of Jesus Christ is the only name in which we can be saved

Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter said: ‘Rulers of the people, and elders! If you are questioning us today about an act of kindness to a cripple, and asking us how he was healed, then I am glad to tell you all, and would indeed be glad to tell the whole people of Israel, that it was by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, the one you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by this name and by no other that this man is able to stand up perfectly healthy, here in your presence, today. This is the stone rejected by you the builders, but which has proved to be the keystone. For of all the names in the world given to men, this is the only one by which we can be saved.’

Responsorial Psalm: The stone which the builders rejected has become the corner stone

Second Reading 1 John 3:1-2 We shall be like God because we shall see him as he really is 

Think of the love that the Father has lavished on us, by letting us be called God’s children; and that is what we are. Because the world refused to acknowledge him, therefore it does not acknowledge us. My dear people, we are already the children of God but what we are to be in the future has not yet been revealed; all we know is, that when it is revealed we shall be like him because we shall see him as he really is.

Gospel John 10:11-18  
The good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep


‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep. 

‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd. 

The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as it is in my power to lay it down, so it is in my power to take it up again; and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’

Loving Father I often think of the love that you lavished on us. You called us to be your children. Father, that is who we are.  We thank you.

Jeusu, I trust in you. You are my Lord, my Shepherd. You lay down your life for me. You are the Good Shepherd. Lord I hear your gentle voice leading me. Lord, I will follow you.

Pray the Holy Rosary: Ave Maria.  Virgin Mary pray for me. Saint Joseph pray for me. God’s Angels and Saints pray for me. My Guardian Angel pray for me. 

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