Introit:Ps 105:1-5, 8 (antiphon: 1 Pet 2:2-3)
Gradual: [adapt. From Matt. 28:7; Heb. 2:7; Ps. 8:6]
Psalm: Ps 148 (antiphon: Ps 148:13)
First Reading: Acts 5:12-20 (21-32)
Epistle:Rev 1:4-18
Proper Verse: Rom 6:9; Jn 20:29b
Gospel: John 20:19-31

That You May Believe and Have Life in His Name
On the Lord's Day, St. John the apostle was given a revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ, the incarnate Son of God, the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last. He is the Living One, "the firstborn of the dead" (Rev. 1:5). He died for all people, and behold, He is alive forevermore! Therefore, He has "the keys of Death and Hades" (Rev. 1:18). For His death atoned for sin and conquered death, and in His resurrection He opened the kingdom of heaven to us. The "sharp two-edged sword" of His mouth (Rev. 1:16) calls you to "believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God," that by such faith "you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). To that end, He sends His ministers of the Word, as the Father sent Him, "to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins" (Acts 5:31).

Introit:Ps 145:4-7, 9 (antiphon: Ps 145:10)
Gradual: [adapt. From Matt. 28:7; Heb. 2:7; Ps. 8:6]
Psalm: Ps 30 (antiphon: Ps 30:11a, 12b)
First Reading: Acts 9:1-22
Epistle:Rev 5:(1-7) 8-14
Proper Verse: Rom 6:9; Luke 24:32
Gospel: John 21:1-14 (15-19)

The Good Shepherd Feeds His Lambs
"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain" (Rev. 5:12), who by His cross has conquered sin and death. With His blood, He has "ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation" (Rev. 5:9). This same Lord Jesus visits people of all nations and calls them to Himself by the Gospel, even as He "was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead" (John 21:14). He restored Simon Peter to faith and life and commissioned him to feed His lambs and tend His sheep (John 21:15_17). Likewise, He revealed Himself to Saul of Tarsus and brought him to repentance, so that the persecutor of Jesus might carry and confess His name "before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15).

Introit:Ps 78:70-72; 79:13 (antiphon: Jn 10:14, 15b)
Gradual: [adapt. From Matt. 28:7; Heb. 2:7; Ps. 8:6]
Psalm: Ps 23 (antiphon: Ps 23:4)
First Reading: Acts 20:17-35
Epistle:Rev 7:9-17
Proper Verse: Rom 6:9; Jn 10:14
Gospel: John 10:22-30

The Good Shepherd Cares for His Sheep
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came from the Father and became flesh among us in order to rescue us, His sheep. He laid down His life for us and took it up again in order to give us eternal life. By the preaching of His Gospel, He calls His sheep to Himself and keeps them with Him forever. As they hear His voice and follow Him, "they will never perish" (John 10:28), for "no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand" (John 10:29). In the same way, faithful pastors (literally, "shepherds") "care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood" (Acts 20:28), "testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ" (Acts 20:21). Therefore, with all the company of heaven, the Good Shepherd gathers His flock in worship, as they cry: "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" (Rev. 7:10).

Introit:Ps 98:2-6 (antiphon: Ps. 98:1)
Gradual: [adapt. From Matt. 28:7; Heb. 2:7; Ps. 8:6]
Psalm: Ps 148 (antiphon: Ps 148:13)
First Reading: Acts 11:1-18
Epistle:Rev 21:1-7
Proper Verse: Rom 6:9; Jn 14:23
Gospel: John 16:12-22 or John 13:31-35

Jesus Turns Sorrow into Joy
On earth "you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn into joy" (John 16:20). Already the Spirit grants you peace and joy through the forgiveness of your sins. For by the cross of Christ, "God has granted repentance that leads to life" (Acts 11:18). His Gospel is "a message by which you will be saved, you and all your household" (Acts 11:14). He gives freely "from the spring of the water of life" (Rev. 21:6), "and death shall be no more" (Rev. 21:4). He dwells with His people, adorning His Church as a bride for her husband, "making all things new" (Rev. 21:5). Therefore, as the Son of Man is glorified by His cross, "and God is glorified in him" (John 13:31), so He is glorified in us by our "love for one another" (John 13:35), which His Spirit works in us by His grace.