Fourth Sunday of Easter – Year A (2026)
Sunday, April 26, 2026
On this Good Shepherd Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, the Lectionary brings us comforting images of a shepherd and his sheep. Even in our modern Western society, where sheep farming for meat, milk, and wool is not common, the imagery is familiar. Pope Benedict XVI, reflecting on today’s Psalm 23, the shepherd psalm, calls to our attention, “Let us not forget here that the scene elicited by the Psalm is set in a land that is largely desert, on which the scorching sun beats down, where the Middle-Eastern semi-nomad shepherd lives with his flock in the parched steppes that surround the villages. Nevertheless the shepherd knows where to find grass and fresh water, essential to life, he can lead the way to oases in which the soul is “restored” and where it is possible to recover strength and new energy to start out afresh on the journey.” — (October 5, 2011). Across the readings for this Sunday, a single theme surfaces: Christ’s Resurrection becomes our pastoral care. The sheep imagery is symbolic of a community created and guided by His voice, strengthened by the Holy Spirit, and often strengthened through suffering in order to remain faithful to what is true and life-giving.
The first reading from Acts brings us a snippet of Peter’s speech at Pentecost. Peter speaks to the Jews in Jerusalem calmly and truthfully, using Scripture to proclaim Christ, whom they crucified as Lord and Messiah. He quotes the prophet Joel in Acts 2:16-21, thus revealing that Pentecost and the Holy Spirit descending on the disciples are not random events but the fulfillment of prophecy; they were seeing what God said would happen. To describe the Spirit, Peter used the phrase “pour out,” for it wasn’t a simple gesture or an act of inspiration but the gift of God’s Spirit coming to them. He also used the phrase “Lord and Messiah,” proclaiming Christ’s authority.
More than just poetry, Psalm 23 describes the intimacy of our relationship with God. The shepherd restores life, guides the flock in the right paths, and accompanies them through danger. In his reflection, Pope Benedict XVI continued, “The image calls to mind an atmosphere of trust, intimacy and tenderness: the shepherd knows each one of his sheep and calls them by name; and they follow him because they recognize him and trust in him.”
Peter, in the second reading, described the danger, hostility, and persecution faced by Christians. His letter teaches how to endure, especially when being harmed for doing the will of God.
Today’s Gospel reading explicitly tells us that Jesus is the Shepherd, and also the gate. Jesus warns that those who enter by another way are thieves and bandits who aim to steal and destroy. By contrast, He states: “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” — John 10:10. Do we know and can recognize Jesus’ voice amid all the noise that surrounds us? Just as Peter interpreted events through Scripture, we must strive to use the Word of God to interpret events and recognize Jesus’ voice. When we are surrounded by darkness, we must remember God’s promise that He is accompanying us.
Go in Peace to Love and Serve the Lord.