--- title: "Daily Gospel Reflection for April 26, 2026: Fourth Sunday of Easter" description: Explore the role of parents as gatekeepers in faith, drawing strength from Jesus as the Good Shepherd to guide and nurture children amid challenges. image: https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/April%2026.png --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/dgr-04262026#) [DAILY GOSPEL REFLECTIONS](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/tag/daily-gospel-reflections) # Daily Gospel Reflection for April 26, 2026: Fourth Sunday of Easter Apr 26, 2026 12:15:00 AM  |  by [Alexis Dallara-Marsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/author/alexis-dallara-marsh) Receive Daily Gospel Reflections in your inbox ![featured image](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/April%2026.png) *Explore the role of parents as gatekeepers in faith, drawing strength from Jesus as the Good Shepherd to guide and nurture children amid challenges.* --- ***Today's Gospel: [John 10:1-10](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/042626.cfm)*** I often wonder how we can teach our youth about Jesus. Perhaps easiest is by example! Yet parenting is the hardest job as it doesn't come with a textbook or manual, nor is it highly valued by modern society. I continue to fail over and over in the roles God has given me. How do I stay calm when I am overstimulated by noise, particularly screaming or negative touch, such as scratching, kicking, or hitting?   The Fourth Sunday of Easter focuses on Jesus as the Good Shepherd, who knows His followers, protects them, and gives them eternal life. The sheep recognize Jesus's voice and follow His teachings, being spiritually ready at all times. The only way to know His voice is through having a personal relationship with Him, through prayer and, subsequently, modeling good works to others.   Modeling His goodness, we must recognize children are a gift from God. As parents, we are their gatekeeper. Learning how to control hard emotions such as anger, jealousy, or resentment can be challenging. Not immediately reacting to a triggering situation and rather, quieting oneself, is easier said than done! Studying the Bible, however, can help make connections needed to live as Christ has modeled. Whether through Saint Paul's letters, giving advice on how to conduct oneself, or Proverbs, we can center on hearing His voice. Like the Prodigal Son, I can remember my Father is always waiting for me. Two decades ago, the father of my future children used the Prodigal Son as one of his pen names for his own journaling. I still recall my awe and admiration.   May we all hear the Lord's voice calling us by name and realize that as gatekeeper, He is the only path to an open door to eternal peace.   ## Ponder: How can I stay calm and rest in You, Lord, when I am overstimulated or overwhelmed?   ## Pray: God, You know us, You care for us, and You protect us. Help us to listen to Your voice and to follow You.   ## Pray Together: Extend your hands over your child and trace the sign of the cross or offer a parental blessing of your choice, such as the Aaronic Blessing from [Numbers 6:24-26](https://bible.usccb.org/bible/numbers/6).   ![April 26](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/April%2026.png?width=1920&height=1080&name=April%2026.png) --- Copyright 2026 Alexis Dallara-Marsh   ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-04262026%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-04262026%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-04262026%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Daily%20Gospel%20Reflection%20for%20April%2026%2C%202026%3A%20Fourth%20Sunday%20of%20Easter) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-04262026%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Fdaily-gospel%2Fdgr-04262026%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Alexis Dallara-Marsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Alexis%20Dallara%20Marsh.jpg) ### [Alexis Dallara-Marsh](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/author/alexis-dallara-marsh) Dr. Alexis Dallara-Marsh is a board-certified neurologist who practices in Bergen County, NJ. She is a wife to her best friend, Akeem, and a mother of four little ones on Earth, plus two others in Heaven above. ## Related Blog Articles [ Daily Gospel Reflection for May 3, 2026: Fifth Sunday of Easter Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/dgr-05032026) [ Daily Gospel Reflection for October 26, 2025 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/dgr-10262025) [ Daily Gospel Reflection for February 8, 2026 Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/daily-gospel/dgr-02082026) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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