4th Sunday of Easter: Good Shepherd Sunday - Francis to Leo XIV

Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Year C

The Fourth Sunday of Easter is traditionally known as "Good Shepherd Sunday," with the Gospel focusing on Jesus as the Good Shepherd. The readings for this Sunday in Year C are:

• First Reading: Acts 13:14, 43-52 – Paul and Barnabas preach to both Jews and Gentiles, facing rejection from some but finding acceptance among the Gentiles, fulfilling their mission to be a light to the nations.
• Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 100:1-2, 3, 5 – A joyful hymn: “We are his people, the sheep of his flock,” celebrating God’s enduring love and faithfulness.
• Second Reading: Revelation 7:9, 14b-17 – John’s vision of a great multitude from every nation, standing before the Lamb, who will shepherd them and lead them to springs of life-giving water.
• Gospel: John 10:27-30 – Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me,” promising eternal life and unity with the Father.

Reflection on the Readings

The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter in Year C center on the intimate relationship between the Good Shepherd and His flock, emphasizing unity, mission, and eternal promise. In the Gospel, Jesus speaks of His sheep hearing His voice, following Him, and receiving eternal life—a bond so secure that “no one can take them out of my hand.” This unity is deepened by His oneness with the Father, underscoring the divine protection and love that envelops the flock. Psalm 100 echoes this, joyfully proclaiming that we are God’s people, the sheep of His pasture, called to serve Him with gladness under His faithful care.

The First Reading from Acts highlights the expansive mission of the Church. Paul and Barnabas, facing rejection, turn to the Gentiles, fulfilling God’s plan to bring salvation “to the ends of the earth.” This reflects the Shepherd’s call to gather all people into one flock, regardless of background. The Second Reading from Revelation offers a vision of the ultimate fulfillment of this mission—a diverse multitude from every nation, gathered before the Lamb, who shepherds them to life-giving springs. Together, these readings remind us of our identity as God’s flock, called to hear the Shepherd’s voice, to participate in His mission of universal salvation, and to trust in His promise of eternal life.

Tying in the Conclave and Election of Pope Leo XIV

The election of Pope Leo XIV on May 8, 2025, just three days before this Sunday, brings a profound connection to these readings. Cardinal Robert Prevost, a Chicago-born Augustinian missionary who served extensively in Peru, was elected as the first North American pope after a swift two-day conclave, following the death of Pope Francis on April 21, 2025. Taking the name Leo XIV, inspired by Pope Leo XIII—known for his pastoral care and social justice teachings—Prevost signals a papacy focused on unity and service. Just like his predecessor, Pope Francis, Leo XIV vows to continue being the shepherd that acquires the scent of the sheep just like Jesus the Good Shepherd.

The Gospel’s image of the Good Shepherd resonates deeply with the role of the pope, often called the “Shepherd of the Universal Church.” Pope Leo XIV’s election reflects the Shepherd’s mission to gather all into one flock, as Jesus says in John 10:27, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Leo XIV’s background—born in the U.S., a naturalized citizen of Peru, and a missionary who worked with the poor—embodies this universal call. His ministry in Chiclayo, Peru, where he served the marginalized, mirrors the Shepherd’s care for all sheep, especially the most vulnerable. His election as the first North American pope symbolizes the Church’s mission to reach “the ends of the earth,” as Paul and Barnabas did in Acts, breaking cultural and geographical boundaries.

The Second Reading’s vision of a multitude from every nation before the Lamb ties into Leo XIV’s global perspective. His dual citizenship and service in Latin America reflect the diverse flock described in Revelation, united under one Shepherd. On May 10, during a visit to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Good Counsel in Genazzano, Leo XIV spoke of the responsibility to be faithful to the Mother, echoing the familial bond of God’s people in Psalm 100. His initial message on May 8—“May the peace be with you”—resonates with the Shepherd’s voice, calling the flock to unity and peace, a theme reinforced by global reactions, such as Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te’s hope for continued collaboration on peace and justice.

On May 11, as Leo XIV delivers his first Angelus from the Apostolic Palace, his words will likely reflect the Good Shepherd’s call to unity and eternal hope. His choice of name, Leo XIV, and early emphasis on peace and service align with the readings’ focus on the Shepherd’s mission to lead all people to life-giving springs, as described in Revelation. The timing of his election, just before this Sunday, feels providential, offering the Church a moment to reflect on its universal mission under a new shepherd.

Conclusion

The readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter in Year C, though not aligning with May 11, 2025, in the liturgical calendar, invite us to hear the Good Shepherd’s voice, to embrace our identity as His flock, and to participate in His mission of universal salvation. The election of Pope Leo XIV, a shepherd with a heart for the global Church, brings these themes to life. His historic papacy, beginning just days before this Sunday, calls the faithful to trust in the Shepherd’s promise of eternal life, to celebrate the unity of God’s diverse flock, and to follow the voice of Christ through his leadership. As Leo XIV steps into his role, the Church is invited to live as one flock, guided by the Good Shepherd and His chosen shepherd on earth.