My Sheep Hear My Voice
Introduction: May you realize that being one of the sheep of Jesus’ flock, you are also responsible for helping shepherd the flock.
One of the Latin names for this Sunday is Pastor Bonus. It does mean that the pastor of the local church gets a bonus in his paycheck. Pastor is the Latin word for “Shepherd.” Bonus is the Latin word for “Good.” So Pastor Bonus means “Good Shepherd.”
Some believers focus on their “personal relationship” with the Lord Jesus. Having a personal relationship is absolutely essential. Yet it can not stop with only a “Jesus and me” type of faith. Being in relationship with GOD leads us to be in loving relationship with others. We are called to be disciples of the Lord Jesus, the Good Shepherd. We need to tend to that part of the flock which Jesus entrusts to us.
A relationship with GOD leads to care of others. In the First Reading, St. Paul begins his ministry to the Gentiles (obviously flowing from his experience of a relationship with the Lord Jesus). The psalm reiterates that we belong to GOD, just as sheep have a relationship with the shepherd, and, therefore, the LORD will take care of us. The vision in the selection from the Book of Revelation portrays the heavenly liturgical celebration of the Lamb Who sits on the throne. In the Gospel, Jesus describes the oneness He has with His Abba-Father that leads Him to continue to care for the flock that His Abba has entrusted to Him.
First Reading Acts 13:14,43-52: 'We must turn to the pagans'
Commentary: As we watch the Christian message spreading to the ends of the earth, three times Paul is rejected by his own people, the Jews, and forced to turn to the gentiles: once here in Asia Minor, once in Greece and finally in Rome. Each time he does so with a biblical gesture, shaking the dust off his feet, shaking out his cloak, finally in Rome quoting the fulfilment of Isaiah. Was Luke anti-Semitic, then, to paint the picture with such crackling emphasis? Perhaps in God’s providence this Jewish rejection was the means by which the gospel reached beyond Judaism. If the Jews had accepted Jesus, would Christianity have remained merely a Jewish sect? In his letters Paul is bruised to the bone by the failure of his people to accept their promised Messiah, and their failure remains a mystery. The witness of the Jews as the suffering servant of the Lord continues in another direction, helped no little by Christian anti-Semitism. Paul attests that they will be converted in the end, but how they will finally be grafted into the vine-stock he cannot say: ‘How deep are the wisdom and knowledge of God’ (Romans 11.33).
Responsorial Psalm 100:1-3,5: We are his people, the sheep of his flock.
The Responsorial reminds us that all those who develop a relationship with GOD are sheep of GOD’s flock. We belong to GOD and with that bond comes GOD’s protection and gifts. That relationship should lead to the joyful praise of GOD.
Second Reading Apocalypse 7:9,14-17: The Lamb will be their shepherd and will lead them to springs of living water
Commentary: In his vision John sees the countless numbers of the redeemed as they will be gathered at the throne of the Lamb. Their palms are the palms of victory and their robes, curiously washed white in blood, are the sign of integrity and innocence. The Book of Revelation was written at a time, whether of bloody persecution or not, when the temptation was overwhelming to submit to the dominance of Rome. This was not only political but also religious, for the Lord Emperor was worshipped as a god. In every city there was an altar to Rome and Augustus. The greater the city, the greater the Temple. Worship of the Emperor and Rome set the whole tone for society. To join this worship was the only way to success and prosperity. Yet if Augustus is Lord, Christ cannot be LORD. Christians had to opt out, and many will have paid with their blood. The victory was not by arms but by endurance. Today also Christians must opt out of many aspects of society – and yet also vigorously opt in, to bring the Christian values as a leavening of society. We cannot stay comfortably huddled round the throne!
Gospel John 10:27-30: I know my sheep and they follow me
Commentary: The figure of the Good Shepherd is the nearest approach to a parable in John’s gospel. It is so important that the Church puts it before us on the fourth Sunday of Easter in each of the three cycles of readings. Apart from its obvious sense of Jesus looking after his sheep – and silly, confused sheep at that – this image receives special sense from the figure of the shepherd in the Old Testament. God is the primary shepherd of Israel, who pastures his sheep in pastures green so that they fear no evil (Psalm 23). In Ezekiel 34 God promises to free Israel from the self-centred shepherds who keep the sheep for their own advantage, and to send them a true shepherd after his own heart, a second David, who will tend them as God himself would care for them. Thus, in putting before us each year in Eastertide, this proclamation that Jesus is the Good Shepherd, the Church is affirming the Risen Christ as the divine Shepherd who tends his flocks. Particularly in these verses we see the unity of the Risen Christ and the Father in shepherding the sheep, just as in the Book of Revelation we saw the unity of the LORD God and the Lamb, both revered on the one throne.
Reflection: How secure is your faith and trust in God? Jesus speaks of the tremendous trust he has in God his Father and the tremendous trust we ought to have in him because he is our good shepherd (John 10:11). What is the significance of Jesus calling himself the Good Shepherd? Shepherds were very common in the land of Jesus' time. A shepherd could have hundreds or thousands of sheep under his care. Sheep without a shepherd were vulnerable prey for predators, such as wolves and thieves. If a sheep strayed from the fold it could easily get lost, fall into a ravine, or become injured. Shepherds had to keep a constant watch over their folds by day and by night. That is why shepherds had to literally live with their sheep so they could lead them out to good pasture for grazing during the day and bring them to a safe place at night for rest and shelter. Shepherds got to know their sheep well and kept a careful count each evening. They also called their sheep by name so the sheep could recognize the shepherd's voice when he called them to follow him.
The Good Shepherd and Guardian of our souls
God used the image of a shepherd to describe his covenant relationship and care for his chosen people who were called by his name (Psalm 80:1 and 100:3). God called David, who shepherded his father's flock in his youth, to be the anointed king and shepherd for his people Israel (Ezekiel 37:24). Jesus, God's anointed Messiah and King, born from the tribe of David, called himself the Good Shepherd of the people whom his Father had entrusted to his care (John 10:29).
Peter the Apostle tells us that the Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd and Guardian of our souls (1 Peter 2:25). He keeps a close and personal watch over every one of his sheep - his followers (disciples) who belong to him. He calls each of us personally by name to follow him. And he promises to be our guardian and protector from the snares of our enemy, Satan, the father of lies and a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). The Lord leads us each day to good pastures - places where we can feed on his word and drink from the well-springs of living water which is his Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39, John 4:14). If we feed on his word and drink from the living water of the Holy Spirit, we will find the nourishment and strength we need to live each day for his glory and honor. Do you recognize the voice of your Shepherd and Guardian who calls to you each day?
My Sheep knows me
Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD), an early church father and theologian, contrasts those who listen for the voice of the Good Shepherd, and those who close their ears to his call.
The mark of Christ's sheep is their willingness to hear and obey, just as disobedience is the mark of those who are not his. We take the word hear to imply obedience to what has been said. People who hear God are known by him. No one is entirely unknown by God, but to be known in this way is to become part of his family. Therefore, when Christ says, 'I know mine,' he means I will receive them and give them a permanent mystical relationship with myself. It might be said that inasmuch as he has become man, he has made all human beings his relatives, since all are members of the same race. We are all united to Christ in a mystical relationship because of his incarnation. Yet those who do not preserve the likeness of his holiness are alienated from him... 'My sheep follow me,' says Christ. By a certain God-given grace, believers follow in the footsteps of Christ. No longer subject to the shadows of the law, they obey the commands of Christ and guided by his words rise through grace to his own dignity, for they are called 'children of God' (Matthew 5:9). When Christ ascends into heaven, they also follow him." (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.1)
The Lord opens our ears to hear his word
The Lord speaks to us in a variety of ways, but especially through his word in the Sacred Scriptures. He will open the Scriptures for us if we approach his word with reverence and faith (Luke 24:32). How can we grow in listening to the voice of our Lord and Shepherd? If we ask he will open our ears to hear him speak to our hearts and minds.
"Morning by morning he wakens, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught. The Lord GOD has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I turned not backward" (Isaiah 50:4-5).
And if we hunger for his word, he will give us understanding, wisdom, and guidance for our lives.
"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path... I rejoice at your word like one who finds great treasure" (Psalm 119:105, 162).
The Lord Jesus wants to draw each of us close to himself. He wants us to be united with him and the Father. That is why he teaches us to pray to our Father in heaven and to ask for his kingdom to reign in our lives (Matthew 6:9-10). The Lord Jesus knocks on the door of our hearts and homes (Revelation 2:20) and waits for our response. Will you answer his call and welcome his presence with you?
Lord Jesus, you have the words of eternal life. Open my ears to hear your voice and to follow your ways. Give me understanding that I may grow in the knowledge of your great love and wisdom for my life.
Daily Quote from the Early Church Fathers: The Great might of Christ's hand, by Cyril of Alexandria, 376-444 A.D.
"The faithful also have the help of Christ, and the devil is not able to snatch them. Those who have an endless enjoyment of good things remain in Christ's hand, no one thereafter snatching them away from the bliss that is given to them. [No one can throw them] into punishment or torments. For it is not possible that those who are in Christ's hand should be snatched away to be punished because of the great might Christ has. For 'the hand' in the divine Scripture signifies 'the power'- It cannot be doubted therefore that the hand of Christ is unconquerable and mighty to all things." (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.1)
the mystery of the shepherd
“My sheep hear My voice. I know them, and they follow Me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.” —John 10:27-28
Today is traditionally called “Good Shepherd Sunday.” The image of God as a Shepherd is ancient and powerful. People of almost every culture have been and are profoundly inspired and consoled by the image of the Good Shepherd. Millions of people have prayed with all their hearts: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want” (Ps 23:1).
Nevertheless, some cultures look down on shepherds (see Gn 46:34). In fact, the traditional conflict between shepherds and farmers is the context for the first murder in history (see Gn 4:2ff). Even Jesus’ apostles, who heard Jesus’ revelation of Himself as the Good Shepherd, had difficulties relating to this image (Jn 10:6).
The image of God as the Good Shepherd should neither be thoughtlessly accepted nor carelessly dismissed. Let’s delve into this major revelation from the Gospel of John about the dynamics of our relationship with the Lord: the image of Jesus, the Good Shepherd.
Hardly ever do we give homework in this book. Today, however, your homework is to read John 10 and Ezekiel 34. Look up the cross references. Pray for the Holy Spirit to teach about the truth and the mystery of the image of the Good Shepherd.
Prayer: Father, make me a disciple by Your standards. “Never again shall they know hunger or thirst, nor shall the sun or its heat beat down on them, for the Lamb on the throne will shepherd them.” —Rv 7:16-17. Alleluia! Jesus is risen! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” (1 Cor 15:55) Alleluia!
The personal action for today: When have I experienced the loving care of the Good Shepherd, either directly or through the means of others who shepherd His flock? What was it like to know that GOoD Shepherd and His assistant shepherds were there to help, challenge, and protect me? To whom has the Good Shepherd called me to help lead and guide? How has my relationship with the Lord Jesus empowered me to be more loving and caring of those whom GOD has entrusted to me? Who might benefit from my pastoral activities.