{"id":7997,"date":"2026-04-21T09:25:46","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:25:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/faith4today\/?p=7997"},"modified":"2026-04-21T09:25:46","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T13:25:46","slug":"the-good-shepherd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/faith4today\/2026\/04\/the-good-shepherd\/","title":{"rendered":"The Good Shepherd"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

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In this Sunday\u2019s gospel, Jesus tells us He is the Good Shepherd \u2013 image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The gospel reading for this Sunday, April 26, 2026, is about Jesus as the Good Shepherd. This Sunday is the Fourth Sunday of Easter, and the gospel is from the book of John. Let\u2019s look at the readings.<\/p>\n

Gospel Text \u2013John 10:1-10<\/a><\/span><\/h2>\n

Jesus said:<\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cAmen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.\u201d Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.<\/em><\/p>\n

So, Jesus said again, \u201cAmen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate.<\/em><\/p>\n

Whoever enters through me will be saved and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

First Reading \u2013 Acts 2:14a, 36-41<\/a> \u2013 The Shepherd Calls His Flock<\/span><\/h2>\n

Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, proclaims that the crucified Jesus is now Lord and Messiah. His preaching \u201ccuts the listeners to the heart,\u201d leading them to repentance, baptism, and the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Church is born as those who \u201caccept the message\u201d enter the flock. The Shepherd calls, gathers, and restores His scattered sheep.<\/p>\n

Responsorial Psalm \u2013 Psalm 23: 1-3a, 3b4, 5, 6<\/a> \u2013 The Shepherd Who Provides and Protects<\/span><\/h2>\n

David proclaims the Lord as the Shepherd who guides, refreshes, protects, and accompanies His people through every valley. The message is that God leads to rest and restoration, guided by God who walks with His people in danger. The Shepherd is not distant \u2014 He is intimately present, guiding and guarding.<\/p>\n

Second Reading \u2013 1 Peter 2:20b-25<\/a> \u2013 The Shepherd Who Suffers for the Sheep<\/span><\/h2>\n

Peter teaches that Christ\u2019s suffering is not only redemptive but sets the standard for us. Jesus bore our sins, healed our wounds, and brought us back when we had strayed. His innocent suffering becomes the pattern for Christian endurance. Jesus\u2019 wounds heal our spiritual sickness. We were lost sheep, now returned to the \u201cShepherd,\u201d who rescues the lost by laying down His life.<\/p>\n

Gospel \u2013John 10:1-10<\/a> -The Shepherd Who Leads to Life<\/span><\/h2>\n

Jesus identifies Himself as the true Shepherd and the gate. His voice is recognizable, His leadership trustworthy, and His mission life-giving. The sheep know the Shepherd\u2019s voice. There will be false shepherds (thieves and robbers) who lead to destruction. Jesus is the gate \u2014 the only path to salvation. He comes so His sheep \u201cmay have life and have it more abundantly.\u201d The Shepherd leads His sheep into freedom, safety, and abundant life.<\/p>\n

The Catholic View<\/span><\/h2>\n
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Jesus is the gate to abundant life \u2013 image courtesy of Vecteezy.com.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Jesus is the Good Shepherd who gathers the lost, protects the vulnerable, heals the wounded, and leads His people into abundant life \u2014 and we are invited to respond by hearing His voice and following Him.<\/p>\n

The readings show us:<\/p>\n