Children's Liturgy Series: 4th Sunday of Easter Sunday (Cycle A)

In today's Gospel we learn about how Jesus is like the Shepherd for the sheep. The shepherd calls them by name, and the sheep know His voice. Through this image, Jesus models that a faithful Christian leader has a good relationship with their community.

Father in Heaven, you are so good to us. We praise and glorify you.  Please send us the Holy Spirity, come into our hearts and minds. Help us to understand the message you have for us today. Help us to have the courage to be faithful leaders, and guide people to you through your Word. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

Jesus said: "Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gatebut 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 strangers. 

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."

Say: The fourth Sunday of Easter is sometimes called Good Shepherd Sunday because in the Gospel reading for this Sunday, Jesus talks about what it means to be the shepherd of the sheep. He also compares himself to the gate that sheep go through to get into the sheepfold, the yard where they stay at night for safety. Almost everybody in Jesus’ time knew about sheep and shepherding, and so when Jesus explained his ideas by talking about sheep, people understood. In today’s Gospel he says that a good shepherd recognizes his sheep and that the sheep recognize and follow the shepherd. Today we still talk about shepherds when we describe Christian leaders. 

Ask: What are some characteristics that good Christian leaders share? (Accept all reasonable answers.) Write the children’s responses on the board. Remember that a sheepfold is an enclosed yard where a shepherd watches over his sheep. After a day in the pasture, shepherds bring their sheep to a sheepfold for the night. One shepherd guards the gate and protects the flock from thieves. In the morning, each of the shepherds leads his sheep out of the sheepfold and into the pasture.

Ask: What is the relationship between a shepherd and his sheep? (The sheep recognize and follow the shepherd.) How do the sheep know their shepherd? (He enters the sheepfold through the gate. The gatekeeper knows him. His voice is familiar.)

Say: Christian leaders are sometimes said to model themselves after the example of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Having heard today’s Gospel, what can you add to our list of traits of good Christian leaders? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Say: Good Christian leaders have a good relationship with Jesus. They know that Jesus is the gate for the sheep. By knowing Jesus and faithfully following him, Christian leaders help the Church to follow Jesus. In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that there is only one way to abundant life and that way is through him.

Conclude by praying together that we will all be faithful followers of Jesus, the Good Shepherd. Pray together today’s psalm, Psalm 23.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. he restores my soul. He guides me in 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.