Dear Friends,

This Sunday fourth Sunday after Easter is called Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus called himself the Good Shepherd.  Do you know what a shepherd is?

A shepherd is a person who takes care of a flock of sheep. Being a good shepherd means keeping the sheep safe and sound. That is the most important part of the job. A good shepherd knows each and every one of the sheep in the flock.

When I talked to my disciples, I told them I was the Good Shepherd. Why? Because I love and care for you, and for all people, no matter what. You are all like the sheep in my flock.

I gave my life so that you, my sheep, would have eternal life. Yes, life forever in heaven. I am your Good Shepherd today and every day…

Signed,
Your friend, Jesus

John 10: 11-16

¹¹ “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. ¹² The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. ¹³ The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. ¹⁴ I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, ¹⁵ just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. ¹⁶ I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Dear Jesus,

Help me to remember that you are my Good Shepherd, now and forever. I know I’ll never be alone. I know that you are always with me and I love you.