Our Great Journey

Our weekly post offers prayer resources, a glimpse of the upcoming Sunday Gospel with short commentary, discussion/reflection questions and suggestions for living the Gospel.

This week our theme is “Follow the Shepherd” based on John 10:1-10/ Juan 10:1-10. We gather at Church the week of April 26.

Opening Prayer:

Place a crucifix and white scarf on your prayer table.

Praise to you, Risen Christ! You brought light to the whole world by your Resurrection. May your Easter light bring peace to our house and to the world. Shine in us, Light our hearts and minds to know you better and to serve you by shining your light in our family, for our friends and to the world. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Teacher. Alleluia. Amen

In addition to our prayers from the heart, our prayer for April is the Prayer to the Holy Spirit. Please pray this prayer each day to learn.

Using the Bible, invite a family member to read the Gospel aloud.

Things to talk about:

In this Gospel, we hear that sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd. How do you know when God is speaking to you?
What is it like to be one of Jesus’ sheep?
Name some of the distractions or temptations that can lead us away from following Christ. What can we do to avoid these temptations to remain focused on Jesus?
What do you think Jesus means when he says, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (Jn 10:10)?

Things to do:

Find the tabernacle in our Church. What is the design on your parish’s tabernacle? What is kept inside?
Jesus tells us that he is the “gate” (or the way) to eternal life. Every time you see a gate this week, thank Jesus for something good that happened that day.
Write a job posting from LinkedIn for the Good Shepherd. Review the Scripture passages about Jesus as the Good Shepherd: Psalm 23, John 10, and Luke 15. The job description should quote passages from these or other Bible stories.

Closing Prayer

Good, Good Father

Listen to the song, Good, Good Father, by Chris Tomlin. Share what moved you about the song.

Name anyone who needs prayer, reply, “Lord, hear our prayers.” Close with the Sign of the Cross.

Catholic Insight

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is often referred to as Good Shepherd Sunday. Fun Fact: Sheep are mentioned in the Bible more than 500 times, more than any other animal. Sheep herding was a major industry in Jesus’ time. The people would have been very familiar with the stories of shepherding and sheep and would have understood Jesus’ metaphor.

This Scripture in John’s Gospel takes the metaphor of the shepherd in a surprising direction. Not only is Jesus the shepherd who guards the sheep, he is the gate by which the sheep enter into the sheepfold. Jesus is the “gate” (or the way) to eternal life.

This Gospel also gives us the opportunity to think aboutChristian leadership. Christian leaders follow the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd, by being faithful to him and by being a good shepherd.

Additional key concepts for this week:

Abundant Life in Christ– is not material prosperity but a profound spiritual life, starting at baptism and centered on receiving Christ through the sacraments, scripture, and service. It represents a life of sanctifying grace, interior joy, and union with God, enabling believers to find purpose and peace. The Catholic Church emphasizes that the “abundant life” is nurtured through the seven sacraments, which provide the grace to live in union with Christ.

Resources adapted from 52Sundays.com, Celebrating the Lectionary, At Home with the Word, Celebrating Families, Sunday Connection

April 26, 2026 – Fourth Sunday of Easter