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Friday, 24 April 2026
Thursday, 23 April 2026
Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, April 26, 2026 (EPISODE- 582)
Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, April 26, 2026 (EPISODE- 582)
Readings for Sunday, April 26, 2026 - Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A
FIRST READING: Acts 2:14a, 36-41
Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want"
SECOND READING: 1 Pet 2:20b-25
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 10:14). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord. I know my sheep, and mine know me.
GOSPEL: John 10:1-10
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1074985220 - BOLOGNA, ITALY - APRIL 18, 2018: The icon of Christ as the Good Shepherd in church Chiesa di San Pietro by Giancarlo Pellegrini. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the Mass – (Readings, prayers, and homily), for the Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A - Sunday, April 26, 2026, by clicking this link here: https://on.soundcloud.com/9JJDOtPaPdOcCNqJew (EPISODE-582 )
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Jesus uses himself as an example of a good shepherd, the perfect leader. Sadly, the world has witnessed plenty of examples of bad leaders, who were motivated not primarily for the good of others, but by their own ambitions and ego. Christ, instead, puts his people first.
He knows them personally, he's not in it for himself, he literally gives of himself completely for our sakes. What a superb example and model for all leadership. Christ uses the image of the shepherd being the gate.
There would not be timber gates back then, but rather the Shepherd themselves would lie across the opening of the sheepfold, and their body would act as a human gate. Nothing could pass by without disturbing the shepherd, who would risk their life and limb to protect their sheep. The true leader puts themselves on the line.
The good shepherd literally puts his body on the line for those he cares for.
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This weekend's gospel is packed with beautiful themes, and it's often known as Good Shepherd Sunday because of the wonderful image of the shepherd that flows through the psalm, the gospel, and the other readings. Because of the theme of the shepherd, it's also traditionally the weekend we particularly pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, that the Lord will raise up shepherds after his own heart to guide and lead his beloved people. Jesus, as we know, is our Good Shepherd, and he promises to walk along with us throughout our whole life journey.
He knows us by name. He leads us by safe paths. He cares about what's happening to us.
He is always interested in hearing us tell him about our hopes and fears, our disappointments and our failures. And he's there to reassure us and give us strength and to affirm to us that if we keep trusting in him, the love of God has the final word in our life. And that final word is the promise that we are beloved sons and daughters of God forever.
The gospel speaks of the image of the sheepfold. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep. Christ's offering of his whole self, holding nothing back, even giving his life down to the very last drop of his blood, is remembered at each and every Eucharist.
In our liturgy, we constantly speak of this mysterious thing called the Paschal Mystery, which is actually about the mystery of Jesus, who is the spotless Paschal Lamb, the Passover Lamb, who was sacrificed so that we might be saved, our sins blotted out. Through Jesus' life, teaching, ministry, and also his suffering, death and resurrection, we are freed, we are saved. In every Eucharistic prayer, actually throughout the whole Mass, this Paschal Mystery is recalled and made present.
Christ warns us about false shepherds, and I have to smile at a rather amusing, but all too true Latin proverb that goes something like this, It is the role of the Good Shepherd to shear their flock, not to fleece them. Sadly, the world has witnessed plenty of examples of bad leaders who were motivated not by the good of others, not by service to the greater good, but by their own ambitions and ego. It's all too common, and it's terribly tragic.
Jesus gives an example of himself as truly the Good Shepherd, the perfect leader, and this perfection, surprisingly but beautifully, shows itself in service and self-sacrifice. He puts his people first, with love. He knows them personally, and he's definitely not in it for himself.
He literally gives of himself completely for our sakes. What a superb example and model for leadership. If only the world took this on as the only reasonable form of leadership, it would change everything.
Christ uses the image of the shepherd being the gate, which is an extraordinary image. The shepherds themselves would lie across the opening of the sheepfold. Their body would become the human gate.
Nothing could pass in or out without disturbing this living gate, the shepherd, who would risk life and limb to protect his sheep. Many were killed by ravenous animals trying to get to the sheep, but they put their lives on the line to save the sheep. The true leader puts themselves on the line.
The Good Shepherd literally puts his body on the line for those they care for. It's interesting that the gospel today also says the sheep know their master's voice. They won't follow a stranger.
Who would follow a stranger? But here's a modern-day problem. With our modern secular world, the internet, and so much media around, communication and advertising, there's sadly a lot of competing values. Values that are not consistent with each other.
They can't stand together. And all of these different messages are bombarding us all the time, saying, " Pick me. I'm good for you.
You need this. We're bombarded with competing and contrasting values, and we're presented with a whole array of different shepherds saying, I'm the Good Shepherd. Listen to me.
This is what will get you what you want in life. But a lot of it is a lie. We're constantly assailed with voices claiming to be our friends, to be the voice of the master, and offering very easy solutions to very complex problems.
We should be like those discerning sheep who actually go, this doesn't sound like the voice of my master. I'm not going with this strange ideology, and I'm not going with that stranger. They'll lead me down the wrong path.
Some of these voices of so-called good shepherds are telling us what we want to hear, rather than what the gospel calls us to hear. So it's very easy to be tempted to follow the voices out into the wilderness of those who are saying what we want to hear and what suits us. We need to be alert to the fact that we really need to discern and to distinguish the voice of our Lord from the voice of the many false shepherds.
It's not easy, but more necessary than ever. We too need to reflect on the values of Jesus as shown in the gospels and in the tradition and teachings of the church, which help us recognise the true voice of the Good Shepherd and follow it always. At times, it can be very difficult to recognise the voice of Jesus, as many will boldly claim that they speak his name and no other.
A useful guide is for us to look at people's actions and priorities. We can listen to those whose lives reveal the qualities that Jesus revealed. Love, compassion, justice, truth that seeks what is real, not seeks itself, self-sacrifice.
Surely they're reflecting the Good Shepherd in our midst. The big test of authenticity is likely to be this. The real shepherd is not acting to feather their own nest, but acts truly, not just says, but acts in the best interest of others.
Willing to give up things for others and be disadvantaged for their self, not to take advantage of their position, not for their own gain or for their own pride. That's the dead giveaway for a fake shepherd. For in them is self-satisfaction, self-justification, promotion of their own self-image and interests.
There's almost always something in it for them at a very clear point and something at the expense of others in the community. And that's not what the Good Shepherd's about. The gospel today, this beautiful gospel and these wonderful readings in the psalm invite us to think of how we as a society discern leaders for civic roles.
Perhaps it would be better if whenever we're looking for leadership roles, we put up a sign saying help wanted and then say, shepherds needed, dangerous occupation, no personal gain, concern only for others with a humble recompense, willing to sacrifice everything for others, willing even to risk their lives. I wonder how many people would be applying for leadership jobs in society if that's the kind of ad that was telling them what the job description's about. I wonder how many takers would really get if that was the application advertisement for all kinds of leadership in the world.
Thanks be to God, Jesus is our role model. And with Christ, the Good Shepherd, and his example, his mercy, his teaching, his grace, his inclusion, his love, and his wonderful example of servant leadership, we too can bear good fruit for the kingdom.
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References:
References: Fr Paul W. Kelly; some thoughts are taken from "Celebrating the Gospels," by Gaynell Cronin, also Preaching the Word resource; and commentary in St Paul's Sunday missal intro. Also, the picture of a shepherd as the "human gate" is from: https://thepreachersword.files.wordpress.com/2015/08/door-of-sheep.jpg
Image Credit- Shutterstock Licensed. Stock Photo ID: 1074985220 - BOLOGNA, ITALY - APRIL 18, 2018: The icon of Christ as the Good Shepherd in church Chiesa di San Pietro by Giancarlo Pellegrini. Important information. Editorial Use Only. Photo Contributor: Renata Sedmakova
To listen to the Sunday Mass each week (including homily) from Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish, please visit this link: Liturgy for you at Home (by SPCP) - https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Also found at - https://tinyurl.com/FHLpwk
Fourth Sunday of Easter. Year A (Sunday, April 26, 2026) (EPISODE- 582)
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (or/ The Lord be with You)
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{{Thanks everyone, and have a grace-filled and compassion-filled week.}}
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
Lord Jesus, you are the image of the unseen God: Lord, have mercy.
You are the firstborn of all creation: Christ, have mercy
You are the head of the body, the Church: Lord, have mercy
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6. "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I shall want"
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION (John 10:14). Alleluia, alleluia! I am the good shepherd, says the Lord. I know my sheep, and mine know me.
Memorial Acclamation
2. When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.
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PREFACE: Preface III of Easter
Euch Prayer II
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{Thanks everyone, and have a grace-filled and compassion-filled week.}
Go in peace.(glorifying the Lord by your life)
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to my weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link here: https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
You are welcome to subscribe to Fr Paul's homily mail-out by sending an email to this address: Subscribe to mailing list to keep up-to-date
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures - New Revised Standard Version: © 1989, and 2009 by the NCC-USA. (National Council of Churches of Christ - USA)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney Australia).
Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - By Jeffrey M. Ostrowski. The Gloria, Copyright © 2011 ccwatershed.org.
- "Today I Arise" - For Trisha J Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
"Quiet Time." Instrumental Reflection music. Written by Paul W Kelly. 1988, 2007. & This arrangement: Stefan Kelk, 2020.
Sound Engineering and editing - P.W. Kelly.
Microphones: - Shure MV5 Digital Condenser (USB)
Editing equipment: NCH software - MixPad Multitrack Studio Recording Software
NCH – WavePad Audio Editing Software. Masters Edition v 12.44
Sound Processing: iZotope RX 6 Audio Editor
[Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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ANZAC DAY MEMORIAL – AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. - 25TH APRIL Surfers Paradise Catholic Parish - Mass - Podcast (2026)
Readings for ANZAC DAY
First Reading: Is 9:1-6 (p.593): Wide is the dominion of the Lord, in a peace that has no end.
Ps 71:2–4, 7–8, 12–13, 17 (p. 594): Justice shall flourish in his time and fullness of peace forever.
Second Reading 1 Cor 1:18-25 (p.224): God's weakness
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION John 14:27. Alleluia, alleluia! Peace I leave with you, says the Lord, my own peace I give you. Alleluia!
Gospel – John 14:23-29. The Holy Spirit will teach you everything and remind you of all I have said to you.
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Please listen to the audio recordings of the readings, prayers, and reflections for Anzac Day, April 25th, by clicking this link here: https://on.soundcloud.com/MTIY3p0LS3p7yByfNe
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At dawn on this day in 1915, during World War I, soldiers from the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps landed at Gallipoli. This national day of remembrance honours the courage and the self-sacrifice of those who served in that campaign, and that war and indeed all wars, conflicts and peace-keeping operations. We particularly recognise the sacrifice of the fallen. We commend them to God's eternal care... and we also pray fervently that the peace and justice, which they sought to defend and preserve, will dwell richly in our land and in our world and that God's peace and reverence will make a home in the hearts of every person in this world.
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Brothers and sisters in Christ, today we pause on a solemn day that fills both heavy with sorrow, but also at the same time filled with hope.
We gather to remember not merely to recount old stories, but to listen with open hearts to the lives lived in the true ordeal of war. Many who returned from serving did not speak much of their experiences, or at all for some, for their truths that they carried were deep and really quite indescribable. So we honour their silence, as well as honouring their courage.
We also honour the times when they did share their experiences, those moments when something they felt was important for us to know and remember, so that we might take it to heart, to never forget, lest past history be repeated and lest the core principles we cherish be lost. Today and every year at this time we willingly and gratefully pause to remember and to pray. We give thanks for countless men and women who served in times of war, who sacrificed absolutely everything for family, friends, colleagues, mates and country, and for the freedom, love, friendship and peace that lay behind that service.
Over decades we've gathered together recollections of a wide variety of voices, so that we can preserve those memories for future generations, long after they've gone to God. Even when two people served in the same theatre of war at the same time, their memories and perspectives could very well have been extremely different, sometimes as different as night and day. And that diversity, both differences and similarities, are both important.
They enrich the broader story. Anzac Day is an opportunity to honour the uniqueness of each and every voice, and the unity of their shared humanity. Today we give thanks for the sacrifices and hardships undergone by so many brave men and women in times of war.
We know of the many outstanding heroes whose praises have rightly been sung across generations, but today we just as much remember, as devotedly, all the unsung heroes, whose sacrifices are known only to God, or only to a few, and some who are not well known, despite their extraordinary stories. For example, to mention only a very few,
Harry Freame (WW1): Born in Japan to an Australian father and Japanese mother, Freame was raised in the samurai tradition. He served as a scout at Gallipoli, where his cultural background and courage made him a legendary, yet often forgotten, figure.
Narritjin Maymuru - from World War II, an Arnhem Land elder who saved 12 lives following a bombing attack during the Second World War.
Squadron Leader Adam Howie “Curly” Brydon (WW2): An Armidale-born pilot (DFC and Bar) who had an extraordinary career in the air war but is largely unknown in his hometown.
Matron Grace Wilson (WW1): Matron Wilson was a key figure in managing nursing teams in Greece and France, setting extremely high standards for care.
Then there was Private James Martin from World War I, an extraordinary story. At just 14 years of age and 9 months, he is believed to be the youngest Australian soldier killed at Gallipoli. 14 years old.
Lieutenant Charles Henry Martin (WW1): A flying officer recently identified after being missing for over a century, highlighting the work done on unrecovered war casualties.
and countless more more than we could ever possibly name.
We remember that we gather today, and future generations will continue to gather because we must remember and remember well. When we enter silent contemplation, what should our minds dwell upon? What should we hold in our hearts during that minute's silence? We dwell on paradox, on contradiction, the cost of the war on one hand, which is terrible and beyond measure, and on the other hand, the memory of it calls us to something higher.
For a Christian perspective, we hear the words of our Lord, beautiful words that ring in our ears and memories, no greater love has anyone than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends.
Today, we commemorate the ultimate sacrifice of those who served, those who risked life and limb for those they loved, in defence against threats real and quite terrifying. We cannot miss the echo of Christ's death on the cross in the death of all who gave up their important, precious, irreplaceable lives for others. In their sacrifice, we glimpse the gospel of Christ made tangible, love that gives of itself, courage that doesn't count the cost, that serves the vulnerable, and a commitment to protect the dignity and freedom of every person, even at the risk of their own lives.
We remember the sacrifices and losses of war, not to praise war, but to honour the people who endured it, and to remind ourselves why such sacrifices matter and will always matter. We acknowledge the heavy price borne by the living as well, those who returned alive with injuries, but with physical, mental and spiritual injuries that cannot be described, and the families and communities who carried grief and ongoing concerns. The human cost of war cannot be calculated, and it cannot be repaid, yet it compels us towards better ways.
Remembrance, when it's rightly kept, becomes a torch passed on reverently to the next generation, and the next generation has taken up that torch beautifully. It urges young people to carry forward the virtues of courage and self-sacrifice, whilst also demanding accountability, to confront and resist aggression, to protect human rights at all costs, to ensure that our pursuit of peace is not silenced by nationalism, especially nationalism which harms the vulnerable. The world absolutely longs and yearns to learn from the past, so that future violence could be averted.
As the familiar ode reminds us, age shall not weary them. Those men and women who have passed from this life, lest we forget the reasons they died, and the horrors they faced, and the truths they fought to defend. And so our remembrance points beyond memory into mission.
We remember with gratitude, we learn with humility, and we act with hope into the future. We pray for those who gave absolutely everything, that they may now rest in the peace of Christ, who has conquered death and opened the way to eternal life and to peace and justice. We cling to Christ in our sorrow, Christ our risen saviour, our hope, our life, our future, our everything.
He gave his life so that we might be saved and the world might be renewed. Let's also lift our voices for a world where such sacrifices may one day not be needed. We long for that peace; may that peace come one day, and one day soon, the peace that only Christ can achieve.
May it permeate every heart and every land. May we who have received grace extend justice and mercy to all peoples, standing against hatred, ignorance, violence, and the degradation of human dignity. May our leaders seek restraint, wisdom, and always the common good.
May those who are called to act in times of emergency do so with incredible courage, guided by love. As we close our reflections this morning, but we continue them all day, and into the year, we renew our pledge to remember, to learn, and to live the values for which so many stood and fell. To cherish and protect the freedoms that came at such an extraordinary price.
To support one another in healing, and to advocate for a world where the lessons of war become the foundations of enduring peace.
And we remember another part of that ode, a beautiful part from Lawrence Binion's larger poem……
"Where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a wellspring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land, they are known
As the stars are known to the Night;
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain;
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain."**….
(We will remember them)
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- Reflection by Fr Paul Kelly
- ** Robert Laurence Binyon, (10 August 1869 – 10 March 1943). "For The Fallen", The Times, (London), 21 September 1914.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_history_of_Australia
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ANZAC DAY MEMORIAL – AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND. Year A - 25TH APRIL..
(EPISODE: )
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
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As we begin the Holy Eucharist, let us acknowledge our sinfulness, so as to worthily celebrate the sacred mysteries.
You raise the dead to life in the Spirit. Lord, have mercy//
You bring pardon and peace to the sinner. Christ, have mercy//
You bring light to those in darkness. Lord, have mercy//
May Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
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Let us pray for peace in our world, and in our hearts and homes. Lord, Hear Us.
Let us pray for all servicemen and women, who served our nation with bravery and honour. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for those men and women who died in the time of war, defending the freedom, the values and the people they love. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for all those who have been injured or in any way physically or emotionally affected by war. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray for those who presently serve in armed forces, that they may be protected and strengthened. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray that we will experience a deep sense of unity with God and with one another. Lord Hear Us.
Let us pray that the ANZAC spirit of self-sacrifice, bravery, and support may always live in the memories and hearts of all Australians. Lord, Hear Us.
For people around the world suffering the effects of war, violence and assaults on human dignity and rights. That they may be given peace and dignity and practical assistance in their suffering. And that God's peace will spur people to find every path to peace and justice.
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Memorial Acclamation
1. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
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Pref: Christian Death II
Eucharistic Prayer II
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Go in peace
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Archive of homilies and reflections: http://homilycatholic.blogspot.com.au
To contact Fr. Paul, please email: paulwkelly68@gmail.com
To listen to the weekly homily audio podcast, please click this link... https://soundcloud.com/user-633212303/tracks
Further information relating to the audio productions linked to this Blog:
"Faith, Hope and Love - Christian worship and reflection" - Led by Rev Paul Kelly
Prayers and chants — Roman Missal, 3rd edition, © 2010, The International Commission on English in the Liturgy. (ICEL)
Scriptures – Jerusalem Bible (1966)
"The Psalms" ©1963, 2009, The Grail - Collins Publishers.
Prayers of the Faithful - " Together we pray" by Robert Borg'. E.J. Dwyer, Publishers, (1993) . (Sydney, Australia).
{Sung "Mass In Honour of St. Ralph Sherwin" - by Jeffrey M.Ostrowski. The ….Gloria, copyright 2011 ccwatershed.org. }
"Today I Arise" - For Patricia Kelly. Original words and music by Paul W. Kelly. Inspired by St Patrick's Prayer. Arranged and sung, with additional lyrics by Stefan Kelk. 2019.
[ Production - KER - 2026]
May God bless and keep you.
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