Opening Prayer – 4th Sunday of Easter

Shepherd
You give me what I need each day
May I be grateful and have my fill.
You lead me on the path of goodness
May I accept your mercy and follow.
You call my name to come to you
May I listen to only Your voice in my life.
Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions
Acts 2:14a, 36-41
• What emotions do you feel as you read these words? Imagine being there. How do your emotions change?
• Define conversion. How does conversion work? Is it a onetime thing or a lifelong thing? What does it mean when applied to your life? Have you undergone a conversion of some kind? What was the result of it? Do you need to undergo another conversion? Why or why not?
1Peter 2:20b-25
• How does this reading remind you to seek God’s grace instead of revenge? How can this be applied to a situation your life right now?
• What do you learn about God’s love in this passage? How does it make you feel? How can you help others see this type of love in your life?
John 10:1-10
• Who in your life provides you the shelter and protection the Shepherd shows to the sheep in this passage? Who do you provide this depth of security for in your life?
• Are there people whom are need of some type of shelter (physical, emotional, spiritual) which you can help lead them to the shepherd?

General Questions for Journaling
• What “cuts you to the heart”? Are there things that hurt so deeply you are called to do something? When was the last time you were called to action because you were “cut to the heart”?
• Where in your community do you see a need for a change? Is there something you can do to help make a change?
• Think of a time when you tried to do the right/just thing and your efforts were not rewarded in a positive way. Why do you think good people suffer? Consider some of the reasons a person might have to go through suffering in order to bring about good.
• When confronted with violence, is violence ever the right response? How does your anger get in the way of following Jesus’ example not to retaliate?
• Who are the people in your life whom you go to for shelter? Advice? Counsel? Do they know the Shepherd?

Closing Prayer
Leader: We stray like little sheep
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.
Leader: We wander around without direction
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.
Leader: We listen to the voices of the world
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.
Leader: You know our Spirit and still love us
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.
Leader: You are the gate which leads us to heaven
ALL: Lead us as we are to go.

Challenge for the Week: I invite you to go into deep meditation with the words and phrases of this Gospel. Take time, perhaps one per day, to take the phrase and sit with it; carry it with you as your daily mantra to mull over. How do these words affect you, what do they tell you, where can they help you make a conversion in your life? The Good Shepherd: Calling by Name; Recognition of Voice; Following the Shepherd; Not Following Strangers; Shepherd as Gate.