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The self-sacrifice of the Good Shepherd

Prayer
Worship
John 10:11-18
Fourth Sunday of Easter - B
Dennis Koch
Contemporary Lectionary Prayers
Cycle B
Gospel Note:
The focus of this passage is not the image of "sheep," which seems more than a little demeaning, but that of the shepherd, who (1) is deeply committed to his charges and (2) is willing to sacrifice himself for them. The polemical edge to this passage comes in the last verse, which asserts that Christ's death was voluntary, not coerced.

Liturgical Color:
White

Suggested Hymns:
Praise The Lord, Rise Up Rejoicing
I Know That My Redeemer Lives
The Lord's My Shepherd
O God Of Jacob

Easter 4

Lord God, we need a constant reminder that the
Good Shepherd is looking for us ...
for our world is constantly threatening to
split up and break apart.
Neighbors withdraw from neighbors.
The cycle of poverty persists.
Leadership decisions are short-sighted.
Even our own behavior blocks our ability
to make sense out of life.
Our best intentions fail to become
positive actions.
We feel like sheep without a shepherd.
Remind us that the Good Shepherd
knows us completely
cares for us absolutely and
loves us enough to die for us!
Renew our confidence in him and motivate us
to follow in his footsteps.
Amen.

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