The Good Shepherd

Today's Reflections

The Good Shepherd 

http://graceandspace.org

Jn 10:27-30

[Jesus said,] ²⁷“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰The Father and I are one.”

Reflection:

My sheep hear my voice. Today is Good Shepherd Sunday. Jesus describes three qualities of his sheep: (1) they hear his voice, (2) Jesus knows them, and (3) they follow Jesus.

There are many siren-like voices that call out to Christ’s sheep. They compete for attention in the marketplace, in the public arena, in the mass media. In this cacophony of voices, Jesus calls out to his sheep. They hear him. Are you among those who hear Jesus today? Do you hear him in the depths of your conscience, in the events of the day, in the pages of the Bible, and in the teachings of the Church?

Jesus knows, that is, he loves his sheep (St. Gregory the Great). Jesus knows his own not with his head only but with his heart. Are you aware that Jesus knows and loves you? What effect does it have in your life to realize that Jesus knows and loves you—Jesus who says that the Father and he are one?

His sheep follow Jesus. We will be known to be real followers of Jesus if we love one another as he has loved us and if we keep his commandments.

A newcomer in heaven is being given a tour of the heavenly mansions. He sees what look like tongues hanging from the ceiling. “What are those?” he asks his angel-guide.

The angel answers, “Those are the tongues of those who said they loved the Lord but did not obey his commands. Only their tongues reached heaven.”

Do you hear Jesus?

Do you believe that Jesus knows

and loves you? Do you follow him?