April 30, 2023

The sheep follow Christ because they recognize his voice.

This passage has so many powerful images and, if we allow our imagination to explore all that Jesus offers us here, we will encounter much richness. But today, we will focus on this line:

The sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.

We all know we should follow Jesus. We have been told how he longs to lead us to the goodness for which we were created.

But many of us struggle with the next part – actually hearing his voice and following. How do we recognize his voice? How do we quiet all of those voices of “strangers” that Jesus mentions? How do we learn to follow as we ought?

In the Acts of the Apostles, we see a powerful example of this type of hearing. Peter stands up with the Eleven and proclaims Christ, and the people were cut to the heart. Three thousand people accepted his message and followed the voice of Christ, speaking through his Apostles, on that day!

Jesus Christ, our Good Shepherd, is calling us today. He is present, leading us. That is why we are here, at this Mass. We have been willing to recognize his voice speaking, perhaps clearly in our hearts, but maybe through a family member or simply through the habits we’ve acquired through a lifetime of practice. Whatever form it took, Christ called us to this place at this moment. And we practiced listening.

And we’re still practicing listening. Jesus speaks to us through the Scriptures and through his disciples. Just as Christ sent Peter, he sends his faithful out to call his sheep today. Let us pray for all who seek to participate in this call.

How do we learn to recognize his voice and sort out the voices of strangers who would lead us to slaughter and destruction? Just as sheep learn the voice of their shepherd – through time, proximity, and practice. The sheep hear the shepherd’s voice every day, time and time again.

We celebrate the Mass. We take time to read and reflect on Scripture. And perhaps we intentionally seek out holy friends, and make the effort to speak about God and faith with them.

Even if, like sheep, we have gone astray, we are here together at this Mass; we have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of [our] souls. May Christ, in the Eucharist, teach us to hear his voice more clearly, draw us closer to him, and protect us from all evil.