Sunday Readings – 13 April 2008
First Reading
Peter, the leader of the apostles, proclaims to the people that Jesus who was crucified is risen from the dead and is proclaimed by God as Lord and Messiah. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, laid down his life for us as a sacrifice for our sins.
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles (2:14, 36-41)
THEN PETER stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?”
Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.”
He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.
- The word of the Lord. All – Thanks be to God.
Responsorial Psalm (Ps 23)
The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
1. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
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.
3. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
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.
Second Reading
Jesus bore our sins on the cross, suffering for us sinners. He is the Shepherd who gave his life for us. In turn, we should come back to him to receive healing.
A reading from the first Letter of Peter (2:20-25)
BELOVED: If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly.
He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.
For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
- The word of the Lord. All – Thanks be to God.
Gospel (Jn 10:1-10)
JESUS said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strang¬ers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy, I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
- The Gospel of the Lord. All – praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayers of the Faithful
P- Let us pray to the Eternal Shepherd that he may take care of us and raise up good shepherds to tend the people of God. Let us say:
Lord, listen to your people.
1 – May our Holy Father Benedict XVI and Church leaders continue to be true shepherds leading their flocks to good pastures. We pray:
2 – Like Jesus, the Good Shepherd who loved and died for his people, may our political and civil leaders govern in such a way that our time, marked by many signs of violence and death, may see the establishment of peace and a culture of life. We pray:
3 – May young people, fol¬lowing the good examples of their elders, take their place in society with a sense of responsibility, service, and respect for the dignity of each person. We pray:
4 – Today, World Day of Prayer for Vocations, we pray that there be more young men and women who respond to God’s call to the priesthood and consecrated life, and give themselves totally to the cause of the Kingdom. We pray:
5 – May those who are sick and at the moment of death receive the comfort of the Lord, so that they may not fear but hold on to the Good Shepherd who died to give life to all of us. We pray:
6 – Father, bless us, members of the Philippinische Gottesdienst Gemeinde, and all our efforts and the work of our hands. Protect us from all anxieties and fears, from all sins and temptations and from all physical harm. We pray:
P- Lord, grant us the desire to serve our brothers and sisters, and not to be served, so that when you, our chief Shepherd, appear, we shall receive the unfading crown of glory. We ask this of you who live and reign for ever and ever. All – Amen.
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