Fourth Sunday of Easter (C)
"I give eternal life to the sheep that belong to me"
The Word This Week
This is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday, and is part of the continuing journey of Easter remember that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who both gives his life for his sheep and takes it up again. His relationship with us, after the resurrection, is closer than we can imagine: through his dying and rising, Jesus fulfils the promise he makes in todays Gospel: I give them eternal life, and they will never be lost. This Sunday is another opportunity for us to consider the consequences of the Resurrection how we live the Easter Story.
Notes for Readers
First
The flock of Christ is made up of those who have heard the Word and responded to it and especially those who are born into Christ through Baptism. In our weekly reading of the Acts of the Apostles, we are following the story of the first growth of the flock. Today we meet the characters of Paul and Barnabas, and hear one example of how the preached the Good News. Dont be put off by the list of unusual place names at the beginning just read them as written. This, again, is a story: narrative passages are much easier to read, but you must be careful not to let it become flat and uninteresting: note in your mind (as you prepare the reading) which are the high points of the story for example, the point where Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly or all who were destined for eternal life became believers. Try to think of how people will react to the story, and let your reading of it deepen the impact of this passage.
Second
As a link between the first reading and the Gospel you could not really get better than this! We continue to read
It would be good for a reader to enjoy this reading: it is a powerful, positive message of reassurance (remember that John is sharing his first with a persecuted Church), and is filled with joyful images of Easter glory. Make sure that your tone is excited and enthusiastic also remember that you are offering these words of hope and reassurance to the congregation in front of you.
Wordsearch
Click on the link to get this Sunday Wordsearch. Feel free to copy and paste it into your parish publications.