April 21, 2024, FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER-B

Acts of the Apostles 4:8-12

Psalm 118

1 John 3:1-2

John 10:11-18

There is no salvation through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven…by which we are to be saved.  Acts 4:12

A hired man, who is not a shepherd…sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away…, John 10:12

Good and loving Jesus, thank you for being a good shepherd to us, your flock.  You are not like the hired man who runs away when trouble or danger attacks us.  When your sheep are experiencing danger, sickness, threats, loss and fear you are right there standing between us and the danger.  You know us intimately and are close to us in our struggles and loneliness.  Even in a natural disaster or a worldwide pandemic you are there in every emergency room, every sickbed, and every funeral parlor.  We see you in the courageous first responders, doctors and nurses who give treatment and comfort to sick patients.  We are the sheep of your flock, and you know us better than we know ourselves.  You see me as I am with all my successes and failures.  You care for me and will shepherd me through this world and my life of faith.  You don’t run from my sins, you carried them up the hill to Calvary and erased them with every drop of your blood.  Again, I thank you for your complete and unconditional love.  May I look to no other name for salvation than you.  Amen.