Do You Recognize His Voice?
Gospel Reflection for May 12, 2025
“‘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 he 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, they 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. All who came [before me] are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.’” (Jn. 10:1-10 NABRE)
There are many different “voices” seeking to claim our attention and influence us in today’s world. These voices speak to us in the music we listen to, the shows we watch, the books we read, and all the forms of media we consume. Our friends, family, and coworkers, as well as our own internal thoughts, also all play the role of a “voice” in our lives.
Today’s Gospel reminds us that amidst the many forms of influences in our lives, which all seem to compete for our attention, we must always be led by Jesus’ voice alone and never by a “stranger.”
It can be so easy to hear something repeatedly by someone we know or by something online, and begin to think that what we are hearing is true. However, oftentimes, such “truths” we pick up on, are in fact not true at all! And sadly, we sometimes make decisions in our lives based on these false ideas that we’ve allowed to influence us.
Jesus tells us that He alone is our Shepherd, and that if we want to be a part of His beautiful flock, we must hear and follow His voice.
May we never choose to listen to a voice other than our loving Good Shepherd’s!! May we only listen to the voice of our Lord, and direct our lives exactly where He is calling us to follow. When we allow Jesus to lead us, He will save us from the ways of the world and will protect us, care for us, and bring us to eternal life.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, [then] I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20)
Amen. Unfortunately, there are other voices even in the Church that many Catholics prefer to listen to rather than the Good Shepherd. The Holy Spirit is the only one who is the conduit for receiving grace: by His presence within us. Too many are not clear on the concept, and postpone receiving grace by directing their attention elsewhere.
Thank you! This is so true! This is the message the Church needs to constantly proclaim, and I am delighted that Pope Leo has begun his pontificate proclaiming we must listen to the voice of Jesus. He never misses an opportunity to say this every day!!!!