HOW TO RECOGNIZE THE VOICE OF THE SHEPHERD

“Jesus said:
‘Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate
but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber.
But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep.
The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice,
as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.
When he has driven out all his own,
he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him,
because they recognize his voice.
But they will not follow a stranger;
they will run away from him,
because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.’

“Although Jesus used this figure of speech,
the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, ‘Amen, amen, I say to you,
I am the gate for the sheep.’”  John 10:1-10

Even in the Old Testament, we are told that the Lord is our shepherd:

“The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. . . he gives me repose; he refreshes my soul.” Psalm 23 

So, we can be sure of God’s side of our partnership with God, – the shepherding that began when God breathed his own life into us (Genesis 2:7). Let’s spend some time this week on perfecting our side of the shepherding partnership.

First, let’s ask ourselves: Do I truly think that God would want to shepherd me? . . .  to watch over me and lead me during the day? . . . and then make sure that I am in a secure place? . . . and guard me during the night? What’s the alternative? Think of that as you look at the above picture of the sheep and shepherd, as you reread the verses of Chapter Ten of the Gospel of John.

LETTING OURSELVES BE LED BY THE SHEPHERD

Second, let’s look at us, those Jesus now is shepherding. How can we stop our chattering minds and attentively listen for our Shepherd’s voice? How can we train ourselves to enjoy what he has to offer us? Can we do that and if so, will our everyday lives be better than a more self-directed living of every minute of our day?

Let’s consider perfecting or starting a daily routine that may help us turn our attention to Jesus’ shepherding. Here are some suggestions.

• Each evening when you are passing through the doorway of your bedroom, think that Jesus there, waiting for you – the gatekeeping Shepherd of your soul and your life. Perhaps go over what happened during the day and let that Genesis 2:7 breathing of God’s own life into you continue.
• Take advantage of times when you are alone to listen to the Shepherd’s voice; get used to hearing it. How about doing this when you get into your car? Think of him, the gatekeeper, helping you open the car door. Thank him and, instead of listening to music or thinking about whatever is on your mind, be attentive to the presence of the Shepherd; share your thoughts with him and let him lead you.

Try this or something else that you think will connect you more to the best shepherd that you will ever have.

Does it seem too good to be true that God would want you to be this close to him?  If you doubt that, consider how wondrously made you are. Who made you? And look at the beautiful God-made creation around you: the sun rising each and every morning and setting each and every night. Is God able to be close to you? Would God do that? Why? And the most important question for each of us: Do you and I believe it to be true?

If you have doubts and want to think more about this, visit our parish website (stmichaelcranford.org) and ponder one of the sixteen HELP ME BELIEVE posts on the website’s homepage.

Every day is a day that each of us is spending with God. Let’s enjoy it!

Sister Loretta