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Fourth Sunday of Easter • Year C
May 11, 2025
Original image • Click on black & white clipart (above left) or color photo-graphic (above) to view and download full resolution graphics for use on bulletin covers. Tutorials available.
Missionary Maps: The lessons in Acts that appear in the Easter season tell of Paul's missionary journeys. Download and print these maps of his three trips to help worshippers visualize his routes. (Drawn by Steven King.)
Historical Collect
Almighty God, you show those in error the light of your truth, that they may return into the way of righteousness. Grant to all who are admitted into fellowship with Christ the power to avoid all things that are contrary to the faith and to follow you according to the will of your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. (Leonine Sacramentary, 6th Century)
Thematic Collect
Shepherding God, draw us into the pasture of your grace, make us whole through the blood of the lamb, and keep us mindful that through your gift eternal life in Christ we shall not want; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Common Thread
“Did you hear me?” We have all heard that one before. We have also heard its rejoinder: “Then why didn’t you do what I said to do?” Jesus bids us to follow him. We are entrusted to God and to his Word, which build us up in faith. All too often, we ignore God and his Word. The Good Shepherd calls us to the green grass and cool, still water, but we wish for other sustenance. Our “robes” may be whitened in the blood the Lamb offers, but we continue to wear soiled clothing. Eventually, even prodigal sheep hear the Master’s voice and turn back to him. It follows them wherever they go: “Did you hear me? Then follow me.”
First Reading • Acts 20:17–35
The Church is likened to a flock which needs careful shepherding. Heretical wolves will try to draw off the sheep, so faithful pastors are needed to teach the faith through that word of grace which is able to fortify the faithful.
Psalm • Psalm 23:1–6
Here we see the Lord as shepherd of his people. He provides and protects, as a good shepherd will always do for his flock. Besides feeding, watering, protecting from beasts and missteps, and healing wounds (anointing the head with oil), the shepherd prepares a place of rest, in which he acts as the door that only the sheep may pass through (John 10:1-7). Being such a door of the sheep, the shepherd is their salvation by keeping predators out (John 10:9). But our shepherd does something more than the ordinary herdsman. A good shepherd would stand between his flock and wild beast, yielding his own life if necessary, to guard the flock. But our Shepherd laid down his life as an atonement for the sins of the world. Those who enter the fold through him will be saved.
Second Reading • Revelation 7:9–17
In the Easter Preface to the Sanctus in the Great Thanksgiving of our liturgy, we pray that it is only right and good that we join the unending hymn of the early witnesses of the resurrection, as well as with the earth and sea and all their creatures, indeed, with all manner of angels too. We then sing, “Holy, holy, holy” (Rev 4:8), participating already, on this side of eternity, in the praise of the heavenly host. We may offer our praise with the voice of the 144,000 (Rev 14:1), that full congregation of believers, because we are clothed in white robes, purified by the blood of Christ. Because we have heard his voice in faith, our voices are added to the throng who cries out, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
Gospel • John 10:22–30
The sheep hear the Good Shepherd’s voice. This is a picture of faith, for to hear Christ’s voice is to believe. Hearing his voice means staying close to him so that he may be heard. A wise sheep always stays near, since it is the shepherd who guides it to grass and water—not to mention provides safety from predators. It is no different with the Church. We stay close in prayer so that we may hear Christ in Scripture, and so, be provided with a full table, an overflowing cup, and the protection of the rod and staff. As our Shepherd moves, we follow—all the way into the eternal life he has promised all those who hear and obey his voice (John 6:29; 1 John 3:23).
Resources
Links to Worship Resources for this Service
