+ GOSPEL: John 10:11-18
In language that recalls the twenty-third psalm, Jesus describes himself as the shepherd who cares
for his sheep. He is willing to die for them, and he is able to overcome death for them.
[Jesus said:] “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the
sheep. 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. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the
sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the
Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. 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. For this reason the Father loves
me, because I lay down my life in order to take it up again. No one takes it from me, but
I lay it down of my own accord. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it
up again. I have received this command from my Father.”
After the gospel is read, the following is said responsively:
P: The gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, O Christ.
