(4th of Easter) 21 April
Good Shepherd Sunday
The good shepherd lays down his life for his sheep
Collect: Almighty ever-living God, lead us to a share in the joys of heaven, so that the humble flock may reach where the brave Shepherd has gone before. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, …
Readings:
Acts 4:8-12
Ps 117
1 Jn 3:1-2
Gospel: Jn 10:11-18
Jesus said:
‘I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd is one who lays down his life for his sheep. The hired man, since he is not the shepherd and the sheep do not belong to him, abandons the sheep and runs away as soon as he sees a wolf coming, and then the wolf attacks and scatters the sheep; this is because he is only a hired man and has no concern for the sheep.
‘I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for my sheep. And there are other sheep I have that are not of this fold, and these I have to lead as well. They too will listen to my voice, and there will be only one flock, and one shepherd. ‘The Father loves me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me; I lay it down of my own free will, and as it is in my power to lay it down, so it is in my power to take it up again; and this is the command I have been given by my Father.’
I am the Good Shepherd
The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep” How can we fail to see in these words an implicit reference to the mystery of the Lord’s Death and Resurrection? “I lay down my life that I may take it again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord, and I have power to take it again”. Christ freely offered himself on the Cross and rose by virtue of his own divine power. Therefore, the allegory of the good shepherd has a strongly paschal character and for this reason the Church proposes it for our reflection during this Easter season.
“I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me, as the Father knows me and I know the Father”. From the mystery of God’s eternal knowledge, from the intimacy of Trinitarian love spring the priesthood and the pastoral mission of Christ, who says: “I lay down my life for the sheep. And I have other sheep, that are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice. So there shall be one flock, one shepherd”. Christ’s pastoral mission is a universal mission, which is not limited to the sons and daughters of Israel, but, by virtue of his sacrifice on the Cross, embraces all men and all peoples.
St. John Paul II, Homily 4th Sunday of Easter, 1997
We Venerate the Saints
- Tue 23 … St. George, Martyr, also, St. Adalbert of Prague, Bishop, Martyr
- Wed 24 … St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Priest, Martyr
- Thu 25 … St. Mark Evangelist, Feast
St. George
Nothing about St. George’s life can be established with historical certitude; tradition, however, tells us that he was a Roman soldier martyred in the Diocletian persecutions of Christians in 303. His remains were taken to Lydda (today’s Israel) and a church was built there in his honour. Devotion to our martyr spread during the Middle Ages and he remains one of the most popular saints both in the East and in the West where he is numbered among the 14 Holy Helpers. He is often depicted slaying a dragon and is the patron saint of England and of Georgia. Several places claimed to have relics of this saint, most notoriously, St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, where two fingers, part of the heart, and part of the skull were once housed.
St. George, pray for us.
Readings Next Sunday (5th of Easter)
- Acts 9:26-31
- Ps 21:26-32
- -1 Jn 3:18-24
- Jn 15:1-8
CATECHISM COMPENDIUM GROUP
Upcoming meeting: Friday 26 April, 6:30pm at the Parish Office, all are welcome.
CONFIRMATION AND FIRST HOLY COMMUNION
Confirmations will be on Sat 18 May, and First Communions on Sat 1 June during the 6pm Masses in AK. Keep our candidates in your prayers.
TO RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION AT MASS
Full Mass is required. The latest you may arrive is at the Offertory.
AMH COFFEE SHOP
Volunteers urgently needed for Sundays 9 to 1:30. Shifts available. Info at shop or Fr. Jim. We’re now open on Saturdays too!
CARITAS PAPHOS
Thank you for your food donations, contributions and prayers. For information, please contact Fr. Fernando 9993 3130
Mass Schedule
- Monday, Tuesday, and Friday …… 9am in Agia Kyriaki.
- Wednesday ………… Eucharistic Adoration 10:50am, Mass 12pm.
- Thursday ………. Mass 9am. Adoration, (Rosary and vespers) 6pm AK.
- Saturday …………… 4 and 6pm AK. (6pm in town of Polis)
- Sunday ……………… 10, 11 and 12pm in AK.
Eucharistic Adoration: Wednesdays 10:45 am, Thursdays 6 pm in AK.
Sri Lankan Mass: Every 3rd Sunday of the month at 1:30 pm.
Filipino Mass: Every last Sunday of the month at 12 pm.
