Misericordias Domini – The Third Sunday of Easter

Misericordias Domini – The Third Sunday of Easter

“The Mercies of the Lord Are Everlasting”

Liturgical Title and Origin
The traditional Latin name for the Third Sunday of Easter is Misericordias Domini, taken from the opening words of the Introit: “Misericordia Domini plena est terra” — “The earth is full of the steadfast love [mercy] of the Lord” (Psalm 33:5). This designation directs our attention to the unfailing mercy of God manifest in the risen Christ. In the Church’s historic lectionary and liturgical tradition, this Sunday stands as the “Good Shepherd Sunday,” wherein Christ is revealed as the Shepherd who lays down His life for the sheep and lives again to guard, feed, and lead them.

Scriptural Emphasis
The Gospel reading for this day is typically John 10:11–16:

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.”
Here, Christ contrasts the hired hand, who flees when danger arises, with Himself—the true Shepherd who does not flee death but walks into it for the sake of His flock. His resurrection is not the end of His shepherding, but its fulfillment. Now risen, He continues to call, gather, protect, and nourish His sheep by Word and Sacrament.

The Epistle, often from 1 Peter 2:21–25, underscores the Shepherd’s suffering:

“You were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.”
Peter links Christ’s passion to Isaiah’s prophecy of the suffering Servant (Isaiah 53). The Shepherd is also the Lamb who bore our sins and by whose wounds we are healed.

Theological and Ecclesial Significance
Misericordias Domini draws the Church into the paschal mystery with pastoral clarity. The Resurrection is not abstract triumph but the concrete assurance that our Shepherd lives and reigns for us. His voice still calls through the faithful preaching of His Word; His rod and staff comfort us in Baptism and the Supper. The risen Christ is not distant—He is the Shepherd of the flock that gathers each Lord’s Day to be led beside still waters and fed in the presence of enemies.

This Sunday also continues the post-Easter instruction of the newly baptized. In the early Church, these weeks were devoted to deepening their understanding of the mysteries they now participated in: the voice of the Shepherd, the washing of regeneration, the bread of life.

Devotional Meditation
The risen Lord is not only victorious—He is near. His mercy is not a past event but a present gift. The world is filled with noise, confusion, and fear. The soul is easily led astray. But the voice of the Good Shepherd cuts through the din, summoning His sheep to the safety of His fold. He does not abandon them. He knows them. He calls them by name. His hands, once pierced, now lead them into peace.

If you feel lost or scattered, if fear has drowned out the sound of His voice, come again to the Word. Be fed at His Table. The Shepherd is not far. His mercy endures forever.

New Testament Verse
“I am the good shepherd. I know My own and My own know Me.” — John 10:14 (ESV)

Collect for Misericordias Domini (Third Sunday of Easter)
Almighty and eternal God, You raised up the great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ, from the dead by the blood of the eternal covenant; grant us to hear His voice and follow where He leads, that we may never wander but rest secure in Your fold; through the same Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Hymn Verse
“The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am His
And He is mine forever.”
— Lutheran Service Book 709, v. 1

Glory be to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One God, Now and Forever, Unto the Ages of Ages, AMEN!