Good Shepherd Sunday (Easter 2) Sermons and Commentary

THE COLLECT.
Almighty God, who hast given thine only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavour ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE EPISTLE. 1 S. Peter 2. 19.
THIS is thank-worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently; this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.

THE GOSPEL. S. John 10.11
JESUS said, I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one flock, and one shepherd.

INTROIT. Ps 33:1-9
REJOICE in the Lord, O ye righteous; / for it becometh well the just to be thankful.
2 Praise the Lord with harp: / sing praises unto him with the lute, and instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing unto the Lord a new song: / sing praises lustily with a good courage.
4 For the word of the Lord is true, / and all his works are faithful.
5 He loveth righteousness and judgement: / the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.
Ant. By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, / and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.
7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together, as it were in a bottle, / and layeth up the deep, as in a treasure-house.
8 Let all the earth fear the Lord; / stand in awe of him, all ye that dwell in the world.
9 For he spake, and it was done: / he commanded, and it stood fast.
Glory be. Repeat Antiphon.

GRADUAL. Ps 63:1-4
*O GOD, thou art my God; / early will I seek thee.
2 My soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh also longeth after thee, / in a barren and dry land where no water is.
3 Thus have I looked for thee in the sanctuary, / that I might behold thy power and glory.
4 For thy loving-kindness is better than the life itself: / my lips shall praise thee.

* During Eastertide, Alleluia is said twice before the psalm portion, and once after the last verse. It may be said after each verse.

Additional Propers for Eucharistic Devotions