The 4th Sunday of Easter is known as Good Shepherd Sunday because of today’s Gospel from John chapter 10, where Jesus shares the iconic shepherd metaphor. For Scriptural context, this chapter is sandwiched between Chapter 9 (the controversy with the Pharisees over the healing of the man born blind) and Chapter 11 (Jesus’ debate with the Jewish leaders during the Feast of the Dedication). Clearly, the evangelist is demonstrating that Jesus’ leadership transcends the model of leadership posed by the authorities of his day.
First, there is the very image of the shepherd. In our modern day, we have pastoral connotations with this image, but in the time of Jesus a shepherd was considered a lowly occupation, often done by incompetent workers who would rather run and let their sheep die when confronted by the wolf. Jesus, in contrast, declares in today’s Gospel that he is the Good Shepherd whose sheep will never perish. Jesus says: “No one can take them out of my hand.” And then Jesus elevates that relationship between sheep and shepherd by comparing it with the intimate relationship shared between him and his Father. This leadership model of life-giving intimacy is a far cry from the confrontational nit-picking leadership posed by the Pharisees.
The other readings today shed more light on the broad embrace of our Good Shepherd. In the Second Reading from the Book of Revelation, John has a vision of “a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation, race, people and tongue. . . The One who sits on the throne will shelter them. They will not hunger or thirst anymore. . . For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water.”
In Lumen Gentium: The Dogmatic Constitution on the Church, the Second Vatican Council expanded the definition of the Church as “the People of God.” Chapter 2 of this landmark document begins:
At all times and in every race, anyone who fears God and does what is right has been acceptable to him.
Clearly, both the Scripture and the Council are teaching us that God is bigger than the limitations of our imagined boundaries. As our Good Shepherd, Jesus embraces ALL who seek him. He calls all people to holiness in the life-giving waters of Baptism. And he leads us to the divine love he shares with his Father.
Our late Holy Father Pope Francis modeled for us the way of the Good Shepherd when washed the feet of diverse groups of people every Holy Thursday: Muslims, Hindus, Catholics, Copts, and Evangelicals – men and women of various faiths. Some people got upset about that. But the Scripture today undermines such small thinking, doesn’t it?
4th Sunday of Easter Entrance Antiphon The Merciful Love of the Lord (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #98
With text from Psalm 33, today’s Entrance Antiphon proclaims Christ the Good Shepherd’s embrace of the world: “The merciful love of the Lord fills the earth.”
Entrance Chant All Are Welcome (All Belong) (Jesse Manibusan and Jenna Manibusan)
Breaking Bread #316
Jesse Manibusan and his daughter Jenna offer us an upbeat anthem that celebrates the universality of the Church.
Rite of Sprinkling I Saw Water Flowing (Casey McKinley)
Breaking Bread #624
We return once again to Casey’s appealing song for the Easter season’s Rite of Sprinkling.
Responsorial Psalm We Are His People (Sarah Hart)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 208
Sarah Hart’s concise verbatim setting of Psalm 100 will be quickly learned by your assembly.
Gospel Acclamation Alleluia: Misa del Mundo (Jesse Manibusan and Tony Gómez)
Spirit & Psalm 2025: p. 210
Some communities skip the Acclamation verse and sing only the Alleluia, but the verse is so essential to preparing us to listen to the Gospel with greater focus.
Presentation and Preparation of the Gifts Jesus, Meek and Humble (Ben Walther)
Breaking Bread #505
Ben and Sarah’s gentle ballad on the Heart of Christ is one of the hidden gems in the Breaking Bread repertoire.
4th Sunday of Easter Communion Antiphon The Good Shepherd Has Risen (Steve Angrisano, Sarah Hart and Curtis Stephan)
Let Us All Rejoice #99
This is a rare non-Scriptural Antiphon text that sings in praise of our Shepherd Lord. Consider singing this setting as the ministers receive the Eucharist before starting the Communion song.
Communion Chant As Christ Is for Us (Janèt Sullivan Whitaker)
Breaking Bread #497
Janèt’s song captures the compassion of Christ the Good Shepherd.
Song of Praise Holy Is His Name (John Michael Talbot)
Breaking Bread #688
May 11 is Mother’s Day in the United States. Although not a liturgical celebration, thoughtful pastors and liturgical ministers would do well to not ignore the occasion. John Michael Talbot’s beloved setting of the Magnificat offers a Marian text that could be followed with a blessing for all mothers in the community.
Sending Forth See, I Make All Things New (Ken Canedo)
Breaking Bread #601
With text drawn from the Book of Revelation, this anthem celebrates how God’s presence in our lives unites the world as one.
Liturgy Blog is a weekly liturgy planning resource for musicians, liturgists, homilists, youth groups, faith sharing groups, and all who look to the liturgical readings for inspiration and nourishment. Join Ken Canedo as he breaks open the Scripture and suggests tracks from the Spirit & Song contemporary repertoire.
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