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Lectionary Readings for the 4th Sunday of Easter Year A

Readings, Responsorial Psalm and Gospel

Reading I, Acts 2, 14. 36-41

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
God has made Jesus both Lord and Christ

On the day of Pentecost Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and addressed them: "Let the whole house of Israel know beyond any doubt that God has made both Lord and Messiah this Jesus whom you crucified." When they heard this, they were deeply shaken. They asked Peter and the other apostles, "What are we to do, brothers?" Peter answered: "You must reform and be baptized, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, that your sins may be forgiven; then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was to you and your children that the promise was made, and to all those still far off whom the Lord our God calls." In support of his testimony he used many other arguments, and kept urging, "Save yourselves from this generation which has gone astray." Those who accepted his message were baptized; some three thousand were added that day.

The Word of the Lord.

Responsorial Psalm, Ps 23, 1-3. 3-4. 5. 6. R. v. 1

R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Alternative R. Alleluia.

1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Besides restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul. R.

2. He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage. R.

3. You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows. R.

4. Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord
for years to come. R.

Reading II, 1 Pt 2, 20-25

A Reading from the First Letter of Peter
You had gone astray but now you have come back to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.

If you put up with suffering for doing what is right, this is acceptable in God's eyes. It was for this you were called, since Christ suffered for you in just this way and left you an example, to have you follow in his footsteps. He did no wrong; no deceit was found in his mouth. When he was insulted he returned no insult. When he was made to suffer, he did not counter with threats. Instead, he delivered himself up to the One who judges justly. In his own body he brought your sins to the cross, so that all of us, dead to sin, could live in accord with God's will. By his wounds you were healed. At one time you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd, the guardian of your souls.

The Word of the Lord.

Gospel, Jn 10, 1-10

A Reading from the Holy Gospel, According to John
I am the gate of the sheepfold.

Jesus said:
"Truly I assure you:
Whoever does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but climbs in some other way is a thief and a marauder. The one who enters through the gate is shepherd of the sheep; the keeper opens the gate for him. The sheep hear his voice as he calls his own by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all those that are his, he walks in front of them, and the sheep follow him because they recognize his voice. They will not follow a stranger; such a one they will flee, because they do not recognize a stranger's voice." Even though Jesus used this figure with them, they did not grasp what he was trying to tell them. He therefore said to them again:

"My solemn word is this: I am the sheepgate. All who came before me were thieves and marauders whom the sheep did not heed. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be safe. He will go in and out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy. I came that they might have life and have it to the full.

The Gospel of the Lord.


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