Readings for the 4th Sunday Easter / C

The Good Shepherd Sunday

First Reading
Acts 13:14, 42-52

We now turn to the Gentiles.

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles

Paul and Barnabas continued on from Perga
   and reached Antioch in Pisidia.
On the sabbath they entered into the synagogue and took their seats.
Many Jews and worshipers who were converts to Judaism
   followed Paul and Barnabas, who spoke to them
   and urged them to remain faithful to the grace of God.

On the following sabbath almost the whole city gathered
   to hear the word of the Lord.
When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy
   and with violent abuse contradicted what Paul said.
Both Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly and said,
   “It was necessary that the word of God be spoken to you first,
   but since you reject it
   and condemn yourselves as unworthy of eternal life,
   we now turn to the Gentiles.
For so the Lord has commanded us,
   I have made you a light to the Gentiles,
   that you may be an instrument of salvation
   to the ends of the earth.”

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.
The Jews, however, incited the women of prominence who were worshipers
   and the leading men of the city,
   stirred up a persecution against Paul and Barnabas,
   and expelled them from their territory.
So they shook the dust from their feet in protest against them
   and went to Iconium.
The disciples were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.


Responsorial Psalm
Ps 100:1-2, 3, 5

R. :

R. (3c) We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands;
   serve the LORD with gladness;
   come before him with joyful song.

R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

Know that the LORD is God;
   he made us, his we are;
   his people, the flock he tends.

R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  or:
R. Alleluia.

The LORD is good:
   his kindness endures forever,
   and his faithfulness to all generations.

R. We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
  or:
R. Alleluia.


Second Reading
Rev 7:9, 14b,-17

The Lamb will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water.

A reading from the Book of Revelation

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.

Then one of the elders spoke up and said to me,
   “These are the ones who have survived the time of great distress;
   they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

   “For this reason they stand before God’s throne
      and worship him day and night in his temple.
   The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
   They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
      nor will the sun or any heat strike them.

For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
   will shepherd them
   and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
   and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”


Gospel Acclamation
Jn 10:14

R. Alleluia, alleluia.

I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
I know my sheep, and mine know me.

R. Alleluia, alleluia.


Gospel
Jn 10:27-30

I give my sheep eternal life.

A reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Jesus said:
   “My sheep hear my voice;
   I know them, and they follow me.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
No one can take them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
   and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
The Father and I are one.”

At the end of the Gospel, the Deacon, or the Priest, acclaims:

The Gospel of the Lord.

All reply:

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Then he kisses the book, saying quietly:

Through the words of the Gospel
may our sins be wiped away.

Leave a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.