Fourth Sunday of Easter

April 26, 2026

Mass Readings

We are in the heart of the Easter season, celebrating the fifty days of joy between the Resurrection and Pentecost. This Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as Good Shepherd Sunday, when the Church reflects on Christ's tender care for his flock.

First Reading

Acts 2:14a, 36-41

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, "You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. "Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself." With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this crooked generation!" Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

Yahweh is my shepherd: I shall lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. He restores my soul. He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil. My cup runs over. Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh's house forever.

Second Reading

1 Peter 2:20b-25

For what glory is it if, when you sin, you patiently endure beating? But if, when you do well, you patiently endure suffering, this is commendable with God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps, who did not sin, "neither was deceit found in his mouth." Who, when he was cursed, didn't curse back. When he suffered, didn't threaten, but committed himself to him who judges righteously. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live to righteousness; by whose stripes you were healed. For you were going astray like sheep; but now have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Gospel Acclamation

John 10:14

I am the good shepherd. I know my own, and I'm known by my own;

Gospel

John 10:1-10

"Most certainly, I tell you, one who doesn't enter by the door into the sheep fold, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But one who enters in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out.

Whenever he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

They will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him; for they don't know the voice of strangers." Jesus spoke this parable to them, but they didn't understand what he was telling them. Jesus therefore said to them again, "Most certainly, I tell you, I am the sheep's door.

All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep didn't listen to them.

I am the door. If anyone enters in by me, he will be saved, and will go in and go out, and will find pasture.

The thief only comes to steal, kill, and destroy. I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.

Readings provided by Evangelizo. Scripture texts used with permission.

Metanoia

Metanoia

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