Do you know God’s voice?

This weekend is often called “Good Shepherd, Sunday.” In John’s gospel this week, Jesus says, “my

sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” There are a lot of voices in today’s world telling

us how to live, will you follow them or our Lord?

Jesus has been called the “Lamb of God” because God was his Shepherd and he followed God‘s voice

just as we need to. When Jesus calls his followers “sheep,” he continues with this image of sheep and

shepherds enjoying a close relationship with each other. Jesus knows his sheep, he knows which ones are

strong, which ones are weak and which need his protection and care.

Sheep learn the voice of their shepherd and follow it because they have trust and confidence in the

shepherd. Jesus assures his followers of eternal life, emphasizing that no one can snatch them from his

hand. Jesus also teaches them that he and the Father are one and they can trust in him and his protection

even during challenging times.

If a shepherd is only out front leading the sheep somewhere, then he could become irrelevant to them and

he loses contact with them.

He also needs to be among the flock to relate to them so they don’t feel forgotten.

Finally the shepherd needs to be behind the flock because he needs to be attentive to those who have

fallen away, injured, sick, or threatened by predators. If he’s not there to protect his sheep, he soon will

be losing some of his flock.

Like shepherds, Jesus was out front of his apostles and disciples and leading them toward a heavenly goal

that they had trouble understanding.

He even made it a point to spend time with sinners and tax collectors.

Jesus attended to those who fell behind that were wounded or afraid or felt excluded from their culture. There are many examples of this, like curing the man born blind, the woman at the well, the woman

caught in adultery.

How do we hear and follow God’s voice? It takes spending time with Him, by praying daily, receiving the

sacraments and attending mass. Ask God to help you hear His voice, If we do these things we will come

to know the voice of God. When it comes to making decisions and avoiding danger, you’ll come to know

the voice of God because you have spent time with Him.

It is said twice in this short gospel reading of John, “No one can take them out of my hand or my Father’s

hand.” You have been called! Listen to his Him!

Hear His voice!