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Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Homily: 4th Sunday of Easter (Year A)

Guest Author · May 12, 2014

N TODAY’S GOSPEL Jesus speaks about the shepherd recognizing the sheep and the sheep recognizing the shepherd. I don’t think we have reason to doubt about the shepherd or Jesus recognizing us. But the opposite may not always be true, at least not in the sense that we as sheep have always listened to the shepherd, and certainly have always followed his voice. But then we know from another Gospel parable that Jesus is always happy to take the erring sheep back.

Jesus Teaching a Lesson: Now this way of speaking to the Jewish people of his day was probably a lot different than the people were used to hearing. They were probably used to hearing more of a majestic or fear-inspiring God. And that was why He stressed the idea of His being like a shepherd to them. However, this idea of being a shepherd was already found in the Old Testament. We can find it in the 22nd or 23rd. Psalm, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” And I am sure there are other references. Jesus was trying to bring a different idea of God to the people than they had been used to. If He were speaking before His sufferings and death, He was trying to prepare them for what He was going to do for them. If He was speaking after His death, He would have been speaking of all that He did for them, and how He did this out of love for them. And this idea becomes so evident in the writings of the apostles.

The Apostle Peter: The Church makes a lot of use of the First Epistle of St. Peter on these Sundays after Easter. In many respects he is the most likely writer that we would expect to hear from during this time of the year. After all he is the first Pope, the one chosen by Jesus to be head of His Church. We might wonder why, but that’s not the issue. The fact is that is what Christ did. Admittedly in my opinion, some of his writing gets somewhat complicated at times. But St. Peter often seems to repeat the idea of Christ dying for us, the Innocent one for the guilty. We were like erring sheep, but now we have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of our souls.

The First Reading: The first reading from the Acts of the Apostles speaks of St. Peter standing up with the other Apostles and doing the preaching. There doesn’t seem to be any question about the fact that he is the one who is supposed to be the spokesman for the group. I’m sure other apostles were probably better qualified or better preachers. But already the rest of the Apostles knew the unique position that had been given to Peter. No where do we ever see this questioned or contradicted. And yet John, who was probably present, was known as the beloved Disciple. This of course is a very important fact for us as Catholics in showing and proving the primacy of the Pope and that it was conferred on St. Peter. These Acts of the Apostles are used during this season of the year because they contain the early history of the Church, the period right after Jesus ascended into heaven.

When we began our religious life as novices and were introduced to the practice of meditation, we were taught to reflect on some part of the life of our Lord or a Saint, or perhaps on some virtue. Then we were encouraged to try to make some resolution how to apply it to our lives. When we hear a sermon or homily that is more or less what we are also encouraged to do. It may be a general reflection or something specific. A thought that struck me was the fact that in spite of the billions or trillions of people who have and will exist, yet each and every one of us is equally important. And when we appear or show up to God in prayer God knows each of us by name and pays attention to us, as if we were the only person there. It’s like those few moments at our doctor’s appointment. The doctor finally comes in and is with us alone for a few minutes. But in prayer God is with us as long as we want. Yes in the eyes of God every one of us is an individual sheep and Jesus knows each and every one of us by name. Each and every one of us is most precious in the eyes of God.


We hope you enjoyed this homily by Fr. Valentine Young, OFM.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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President’s Corner

    PDF Download • “Offertory” for this Sunday
    This coming Sunday, 12 October 2025, is the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). Its OFFERTORY ANTIPHON (PDF) is gorgeous, and comes from the book of Esther, as did the ENTRANCE CHANT last Sunday. Depending on a variety of factors, various hand-missals (all with Imprimatur) translate this passage differently. For instance, “príncipis” can be rendered: King; Prince; Lion; or Fierce lord. None is “more correct” than another. It depends on what each translator wants to emphasize and which source text is chosen. All these pieces of plainsong are conveniently stored at the blue-ribbon feasts website.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Why A “Fugue” Here?
    I believe I know why this plainsong harmonizer created a tiny fugue as the INTRODUCTION to his accompaniment. Take a look (PDF example) and tell me your thoughts about what he did on the feast of the Flight of Our Lord Jesus Christ into Egypt (17 February). And now I must go because “tempus fugit” as they say!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Reminder” — Month of October (2025)
    Those who don’t sign up for our free EMAIL NEWSLETTER miss important notifications. Last week, for example, I sent a message about this job opening for a music director paying $65,000 per year plus benefits (plus weddings & funerals). Notice the job description says: “our vision for sacred music is to move from singing at Mass to truly singing the Mass wherein … especially the propers, ordinaries, and dialogues are given their proper place.” Signing up couldn’t be easier: simply scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    New Bulletin Article • “12 October 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 12 October 2025) talks about an ‘irony’ or ‘paradox’ regarding the 1960s switch to a wider use (amplior locus) of vernacular in the liturgy.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “American Catholic Hymnal” (1991)
    The American Catholic Hymnal, with IMPRIMATUR granted (25 April 1991) by the Archdiocese of Chicago, is like a compendium of every horrible idea from the 1980s. Imagine being forced to stand all through Communion (even afterwards) when those self-same ‘enlightened’ liturgists moved the SEQUENCE before the Alleluia to make sure congregations wouldn’t have to stand during it. (Even worse, everything about the SEQUENCE—including its name—means it should follow the Alleluia.) And imagine endlessly repeating “Alleluia” during Holy Communion at every single Mass. It was all part of an effort to convince people that Holy Communion was historically a procession (which it wasn’t).
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Canonic” • Ralph Vaughan Williams
    Fifty years ago, Dr. Theodore Marier made available this clever arrangement (PDF) of “Come down, O love divine” by P. R. Dietterich. The melody was composed in 1906 by Ralph Vaughan Williams (d. 1958) and named in honor of of his birthplace: DOWN AMPNEY. The arrangement isn’t a strict canon, but it does remind one of a canon since the pipe organ employs “points of imitation.” The melody and text are #709 in the Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal.
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

Friedman met Egon Wellesz in Altaussee on one of the walks, and Egon started to speak about atonal music—and Ignaz replied: “No, no, no. Melody for me.”

— From the Life of Ignazy Friedman

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