Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 27,2026

LECTIO - Read Scripture Text:   John 10:11-18

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives his life for the sheep.  But a hireling, unlike the shepherd, who does not own the sheep, when he sees the wolf coming, he leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf catches and scatters the sheep. The hireling flees because he works for wages and cares not for the sheep.

“I am the good shepherd, and I know my sheep and they know me. As the Father knows me, even so, I know the Father, and I lay down my life for the sheep.

“I have other sheep which are not of this fold. They shall hear my voice, and I will bring them also. And there shall be one fold and one shepherd.

“Therefore, my Father loves me because I lay down my life that I might take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own will. I have the power to lay it down, and I have the power to take it up again. This commandment have I received from my Father.”

MEDITATIO - Meditate on text, allow the LORD to touch us with His Word:

BREAKING OPEN THE TEXT:

In today’s gospel from John 10, we open the second part of Jesus’ teaching about the flock. In yesterday, Jesus told us “I am the gate” and today, Jesus tells us “I am the good shepherd.”  He goes on to tell us that He not only knows us but is willing to sacrifice his own life for us – dying as a man and rising as Son of God.

ORATIO – Lifting our minds and hearts to the LORD in prayer:

LORD, Almighty Father, You sent your only-begotten Son to us as our Savior. He taught us that He is “the gate” through which we must pass if we are to find truth, find life in abundance with You. And He taught us that He is “the good shepherd” who knows his sheep and whose sheep know Him and His voice. Send your Spirit to heighten our awareness of Him in our moments and to amplify our ability to hear His voice in our minds, our hearts, and our souls. Grant that we may come to know You as He promised when we come to Him and enter into the life we are created to live in abundance through Him. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.

CONTEMPLATIO – Sitting with the LORD in silence for a minute or more