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April 13, 2008 - 4th Sunday of Easter
Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs
in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd
of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own,
he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will
not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of
strangers." Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what
he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, "Very truly, I tell you, I am the
gate for the sheep...I have come that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
-- John 10:1-10
The sheep know the voice of the shepherd because of the shepherd's daily care for
the sheep. It is the shepherd who leads the sheep to green pastures and still waters.
It is the shepherd who keeps the sheep from all evil with rod and staff. It is the
attentive relationship of shepherd to sheep that draws the sheep forward in trust.
Many voices call for your attention - voices of strangers who instill fear and anxiety.
Listen for the voice of your true shepherd who calls you into trust and life abundant.
We pray: O God our shepherd, you know your sheep by name and lead us to
safety through the valleys of death. Guide us by your voice, that we may walk in certainty
and security to the joyous feast prepared in your house, Amen
Lessons for the 4th Sunday of Easter:
- Psalm 23
- Acts 2:42-47
- 1 Peter 2:19-25
- John 10:1-10
Scripture quotations are from New Revised Standard Version Bible,
copyright © 1989, Division of Christian Education of the
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.
Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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