Good Shepherd Sunday
Good Shepherd Sunday occurs on the fourth Sunday in the Easter Season. The name derives from the gospel reading for the day, which is taken from the tenth chapter of John's Gospel. In this reading Christ is described as the "Good Shepherd" who lays down his life for his sheep. The Psalm for the day is Psalm 23, which also makes use of shepherd imagery.
In the Traditional Latin Liturgy, and in the Book of Common Prayer and in Lutheran Lectionaries and calendars as well, this Gospel is set for the 'Second Sunday after Easter'.
In the Catholic liturgical calendar and the Revised Common Lectionary used in Anglican, Lutheran, and many other Protestant churches this gospel reading is set for the Fourth Sunday of Easter and hence some also call this day "Good Shepherd Sunday".
The fourth Sunday of Easter is also kept as Vocations Sunday in many church denominations.
