Lectio Divina: For the 4th Week in Easter

Please read slowly and reflectively.

Slowly count to five at the end of each line.

A READING FROM JOHN 10:11-18 (FIRST READER ONLY)

Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd.'/

Good shepherds lay down their lives for the sheep./

Those who are hirelings, see the wolf coming and flee/

They flee because they are hirelings and care nothing for the sheep./

I am the good shepherd; I know my own and my own know me,/

as God, who sent me, knows me and I know God;/

and I lay down my life for the sheep./

I have other sheep that are not of this fold;/

I must bring them also, and they will heed my voice, /

So there shall be one flock, one shepherd./

For this reason' God loves me,/

Because I lay down my life, that I may take it again. /

No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord./

I have and I have power to take it again;/

This charge I have received from the One who has sent me./