Fourth Sunday 0f Easter, Cycle A
How will you bring someone back to Church today?
Visit Christ in Our Neighborhood for free scripture reflections for small groups. Then, invite a friend, family member, or neighbor to join you and break open God’s Word together!
Prayer
Lord Jesus, by Your cross and resurrection, You have set us free! May we celebrate Your rising from the dead with joy, knowing that we shall follow You through death into life! We ask this in Your holy name. Amen.
Commentary
1st Reading: Acts 2:14, 36-41
Today we continue Peter’s great speech. Last week we left off at the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Amazingly, Peter gets the response he had only hoped fort—they want to know what they can do! Peter gladly supplies the answer —repent and be baptized! And 3,000 accepted his invitation.
Peter explains how this Messiah was n o t to reign on Earth. Instead, through His death, Resurrection and Ascension, Jesus reveals Himself as sharing divine power and intimacy with the Father. If we call on Him, we too can share in the saving power of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit!
We might question at times, what part do I have to play in others’ conversion? Peter, likewise, may have had the same concern; after all he was just a simple fisherman. Witness and invitation were the keys. He invited them to a deeper understanding of how Jesus worked in his own life, and how He could work in theirs. Count on the Holy Spirit, as Peter did, to do the rest.
Questions
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- When is the last time I simply invited someone to share my faith?
2nd Reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25
Have you ever wondered how to be patient if you suffer for doing the right thing?
It is possible with God’s grace — that same grace that helps us repent when we fall into sin. That same grace that leads us back to a life of righteousness. It is always there, if we but turn to the Lord and ask for His mercy.
Just as Jesus accepted suffering and put Himself totally in the hands of His loving Father to overcome sin and death, we too can share in His victory.
Even if we stray in sin, like lost sheep, the Shepherd will bring us back into the fold when we turn to Him.
Question
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- How do I deal with suffering?
Gospel: John 10:1-10
Unless we live or have lived on a farm, most of us don’t know a whole lot about sheep.
Typically sheep graze in herds with other sheep and go wherever food is present. It wouldn’t be uncommon to have many shepherds all working at the same time with a larger flock of sheep. When it’s time to go home, the shepherds call out to their sheep and they follow their own shepherd.
“I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
Think of all the people in the world as if they were sheep. It seems there are many shepherds calling us in too many directions, often to our detriment. However, Jesus is calling us by name so that we may have life and have it more abundantly.
Question
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- Which shepherd are we listening to?
This Week’s Task
Spend five minutes each day this week and listen to the Good Shepherd.
This is also Good Shepherd Sunday. It is a time for us to remember in prayer the priests of our parish who —in the person of Christ — shepherd us.
Take some time to write a note of thanks to the priest of your parish. Let him know your gratitude for giving his life to God and the Church in this unique vocation.
Group Prayer
The group is invited to pray the following:
Faithful Shepherd,
You are not a hireling who runs away at the sight of danger, but Your fidelity was tested and proven on the wood of the Cross. Accept the gift of our gratitude for Your marvelous care. Help us to hear and follow Your voice. Watchful Shepherd, who protects the flock and searches tirelessly for those who wander from the fold, retrieve the lost and bring them home. Tend and heal their wounds.
Psalm
Response: Alleluia
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. Alleluia
He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side.
With your rod and your staff that give me courage.
R. Alleluia
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. Alleluia
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. Alleluia
Conclude with an Our Father
Used with permission. All rights reserved. Christ in Our Neighborhood is a Scripture program designed by Bishop John P. Dolan of the Diocese of Phoenix.