THEOLOGICAL CLUE

Good Shepherd Sunday fell on the Second Sunday after Easter in the classic calendar and lectionary; it now occurs on the Fourth Sunday of Easter (or, in the older scheme, on the Third Sunday after Easter). Accordingly, the traditional gospel (John 10:11-16) is retained, specifically in Year/Cycle B of the contemporary lectionaries, but John 10 is also employed as the Gospel in Years/Cycles A and C. Last Sunday's theme emphasized that Jesus Christ was the Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed at Calvary for the sins of the whole world; but the Lamb lives again after his resurrection forever. The risen Lord, who died as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world," becomes the Good Shepherd through his resurrection and ascension; he calls and gathers his own - as a she…