Gospel lesson of the week
The Fourth Sunday of Easter

John 10:11-18

In language that recalls the twenty-third psalm, Jesus describes himself as the shepherd who cares for his sheep. Jesus is willing to die for them, and he is able to overcome death for them.

Jesus said: ¹¹“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹²The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. ¹⁴I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. ¹⁷For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. ¹⁸No 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 up again. I have received this command from my Father.”

Gospel Reflection Questions

1. Jesus describes himself in this text as the “Good Shepherd.”  What does that mean for you today?
2. Jesus says, “I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.”  What do you think Jesus means by this?
3. How does Jesus “lay down his life” for us today?
   
   

Prayer

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