The Easter Season begins, a time to continue the celebration of new life and possibility in our world. We observe Divine Mercy Sunday (7), followed immediately by the relocated Solemnity of the Annunciation (8, shifted due to Holy Week). Good Shepherd Sunday (21) also shares the observance of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

Scripture challenges leaders to make sacrifices for the sake of their people and reveal God's love in their actions.

With every election, citizens will face an important question together: Who should lead? It has a related, shadow question that gets asked more rarely: Who will follow?

Today—the Fourth Sunday of Easter—is called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” It’s a good day to recount a modern parable of the Lost Sheep: the story of Fiona, the sheep who was spotted by a kayaker last October, stranded for two years at the bottom of a treacherous cliff in the Scottish Highlands.

I remember how badly it stung. The kids in the neighborhood were choosing up sides for a pickup game of touch football, and I was odd man out. Rejected.

As we prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.

The sheep that will stray is the most obstreperous, troublesome one.

Browse our library for additional Fourth Sunday of Easter; Good Shepherd Sunday, Cycle B material. 

Click here to view the Take Five weekly for April 21, 2024.