Cycle A,Good News A21, Fourth Sunday of Easter, John 10:1-10, April 17, 2005, Children's Devotional, Gospel-based, Children's Liturgy, Children's Homily, Catholic, Christian, written by Joan Y. Edwards

Cycle A

Good News A21

Fourth Sunday of Easter

John 10:1-10 Bible Gateway New International Version

“I am the gate for the sheep. I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Jesus is the Shepherd who calls your name at the gate. He takes you along the path to the spiritual food and drink that will nourish your soul and lead you to everlasting life with God, your Father in Heaven. You have to be careful so that you don’t answer the call of a robber shepherd and follow him down the path to the mouths of wolves rather than heaven. These thieves may use trickery to make their voices sound like Jesus. Like the devil when he tempted Adam and Eve, this robber will make his path seem filled with money, jewels, and power for you. He may use make-up and trickery to make himself look like Jesus, too. You have to take a good look at the shepherd. Listen to his voice. Watch his actions. If he does not act like Jesus Christ, he is probably not Jesus Christ. Ask God, the Father to show you which Shepherd is indeed, Jesus. The Shepherd is not Jesus if he is so concerned with money, jewels, and power that he forgets who you are. If you get so concerned with money, jewels, and power that you forget who Jesus is, then you are leading yourself astray. If you ask God, the Father, he will forgive you and lead you back into the fold with Jesus, your loving Shepherd. God will send Jesus, the Good Shepherd to get you and lead you along the right path, the one that really leads to his holy kingdom in heaven.

Say the “Our Father” and ask God to help you listen and hear him your name at the gates of heaven.

“Our Father, who art in Heaven,

Hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day, our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses,

As we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”