ENG. Sunday, Apr. 21, 2024. [백/White] Fourth Sunday of Easter.

[백/White] Fourth Sunday of Easter.

 

< Gloria > < Creed > < The faithful >                                      ( Vocation Sunday )

Each year, the Fourth Sunday of Easter is observed as "Vocation Sunday." This day is dedicated to promoting vocations to the priesthood, religious life, and missionary work, which are considered to be special calls from God (聖召). Vocation Sunday was established in 1964 by Pope Paul VI during the Second Vatican Council, in response to Christ's words, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" (Matthew 9:37-38).

Vocation Sunday serves as a reminder for all Christians to actively participate in fostering and nurturing vocations through ongoing prayer and necessary actions. It is an opportunity to reflect upon the importance of these special calls and to encourage young people to consider dedicating their lives to serving God in these various capacities.

 

오늘 전례 Today Liturgy

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Easter and Vocation Sunday.
On this special day, we celebrate the boundless love and power of God, who, through the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, heals our human frailty and radiates the glory of His resurrection. We express our deepest gratitude to the Father, who gathers the scattered into one family, granting us the joy of being God's children, united with Christ, the Good Shepherd.

 

입당송 Introit Antiphon Psalm 33(32),5-6

The Lord's loving kindness fills the whole earth.
By his word the Lord has opened the heavens.
Alleluia.

 

본기도 Collect

O God, almighty and eternal,
Guide us, your weak sheep,
To the kingdom led by Christ, our Shepherd.
May we share in the joy of heaven with you.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
One God, forever and ever.
Amen.

 

 

제 1독서 First Reading
< There is no salvation except through Jesus. > 

▥ A reading from the Acts of the Apostles. Acts 4:8-12
Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said:
"Leaders of the people and elders:
If we are being examined today
about a good deed done to a cripple,
namely, by what means he was saved,
then all of you and all the people of Israel should know
that it was in the name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean
whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead;
in his name this man stands before you healed.
He is the stone rejected by you, the builders,
which has become the cornerstone.
There is no salvation through anyone else,
nor is there any other name under heaven
given to the human race by which we are to be saved."

The Word of the Lord.
◎ Thanks be to God.

 

 

화답송 Responsorial Psalm Ps 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29(◎22)

◎ The stone rejected by the builders has become the cornerstone.
or:

◎ Alleluia.
○ Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good,
     for his mercy endures forever.
     It is better to take refuge in the LORD
     than to trust in man.
     It is better to take refuge in the LORD
     than to trust in princes. ◎
○ I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
     and have been my savior.
     The stone which the builders rejected
     has become the cornerstone.
     By the LORD has this been done;
     it is wonderful in our eyes. ◎
○ Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD;
     we bless you from the house of the LORD.
     I will give thanks to you, for you have answered me
     and have been my savior.
     Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
     for his kindness endures forever. ◎

 

 

제 2독서 Second Reading
< We shall see God as he is. > 

▥ A reading from the first letter of John. 1Jn 3:1-2
Beloved:
See what love the Father has bestowed on us
that we may be called the children of God.
Yet so we are.
The reason the world does not know us
is that it did not know him.
Beloved, we are God's children now;
what we shall be has not yet been revealed.
We do know that when it is revealed we shall be like him,
for we shall see him as he is.

The Word of the Lord.
◎ Thanks be to God.

 

 

복음  환호송 Alleluia Jn 10:14

◎ Alleluia, alleluia.
○ I am the good shepherd, says the Lord;
     I know my sheep, and mine know me.
◎ Alleluia, alleluia.

 

 

복음 Gospel
< A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. >

✠ The Holy Gospel according to John. Jn 10:11-18
Jesus said:
"I am the good shepherd.
A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.
A hired man, who is not a shepherd
and whose sheep are not his own,
sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away,
and the wolf catches and scatters them.
This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me,
just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.
These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice,
and there will be one flock, one shepherd.
This is why 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 on my own.
I have power to lay it down, and power to take it up again.
This command I have received from my Father."

The Gospel of the Lord.
◎ Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ

 

 

보편 지향 기도 General Intercessions
< It is preferable for each community to prepare its own prayers. > 

1. Let us pray for the Church.
Eternal Shepherd, Lord, watch over us who strive to live according to your calling. Grant special grace to those who aspire to the priesthood and religious life, that they may persevere steadfastly in your will.
2. Let us pray for world leaders.
Gracious Lord, bestow upon world leaders the Spirit of discernment, that they may strive to create a world that pursues true values through sound politics, mindful of the future of humanity.
3. Let us pray for those in despair.
Lord of hope, shine the radiant light of resurrection upon those who are trapped in despair, that they may endure the pain and hardship of reality, break free from anxiety about the future, and find hope.
4. Let us pray for family communities.
Loving Lord, bless family communities that live united in love, that they may imitate the love of the risen Jesus Christ and live joyfully, sharing love with their neighbors as well.

 

 

예물 기도 Prayer over the Gifts

Lord,
Through this holy mystery of Passover,
you have accomplished our salvation.
May this sacrifice that we offer in gratitude
be the source of eternal joy for us.
Through our Lord Christ.
Amen.

 

 

감사송 Preface
< Easter Proclamation 1: The Mystery of the Paschal > 

It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
O Lord, holy Father, almighty and everlasting God.
But on this night, above all nights,
we are bound to praise you with joy and gladness,
for on this night Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.
He is the true Lamb who has taken away the sins of the world.
By his death he has destroyed our death,
and by his rising to life he has restored us to life.
Therefore, the whole world exults in gladness,
and the choirs of angels sing in heaven.
The redeemed rejoice on earth,
and all creation is radiant
with the splendor of your glory.

 

 

영성체송 Communion antiphon

The Good Shepherd, his life he gave,
For his sheep, he died to save.
He returned and rose again,
To his flock, his life he'd lend.
Alleluia.

 

영성체 후 묵상 Meditation after Communion

Jesus is the good shepherd who laid down his life for the sheep. "Indeed, there is no other name under heaven given to men by which they can be saved." In his name, we have been saved and made complete.

 

< Let us pray silently for a while in union with Christ. >

 

 

영성체 후 기도 Prayer after Communion

Good Shepherd, God,
With tender care, watch over your flock,
Redeemed by the precious blood of your Son.
Guide them to the eternal pastures of heaven.
Through our Lord Christ.
Amen.

 

 

오늘의 묵상 Today's Meditation

The Gospel of the Fourth Sunday concludes the lengthy discourse on the "Good Shepherd." Today's Gospel begins with the declaration "I am the good shepherd" and proceeds to elaborate on it.
The first declaration of "I am the good shepherd" is followed by an explanation of the reason for his "goodness": it is because he "lays down his life for the sheep." The word "life" (Greek: "psyche") appears several times in the text today, emphasizing its importance. It means "breath" or "soul" and encompasses the meanings of human soul, life, and vitality. Therefore, to "lay down one's life" means to give up one's breath and soul to save another.
In contrast, the "hired hand" is the antithetical shepherd. The hired hand exploits the sheep for his own survival and discards them when they are no longer needed. This is because he "has no concern for the sheep."
The second occurrence of "I am the good shepherd" is followed by a discussion of "knowing." The word "know" (Greek: "ginosco") does not simply mean the ability to learn something; it also includes the act of delicately understanding the other's essence and caring for and loving them. Therefore, the Second Reading urges us to consider how much "love" God has bestowed upon us.
Interestingly, the First Reading today presents a slight reversal. The good shepherd lays down his life for his beloved sheep, but at the same time, God, who loves the good shepherd, raises him "from the dead." The shepherd who lays down his life is raised to life again. This is why the Good Shepherd passage is read during the Easter season.
Living with the sheep, knowing each of the entrusted sheep and loving them enough to give his life, and thus causing his breath to become the breath of the sheep once again – this 'goodness' alone is the true power and authority that a shepherd can possess.

 

( Sr. Beatrix Hye-Yun Kim )