The Real Voice

John 10:1-18

In our gospel reading for today Jesus uses the image of the good shepherd when discussing his identity with the crowds. "'When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them,' Jesus says, 'and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.' Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them" (John 10:4-6). What an interesting bit of comparison. Jesus explains that the people of God will recognize the Son of God the way that sheep recognize the voice of their shepherd. But the crowds to whom Jesus is speaking don't understand. In other words Jesus' voice is unfamiliar to them. It borders on comedy as Jesus tries more than once to explain the parable to his listeners... and they still don't get it.

There is much that we could make of this but my question today has to do with listening and recognizing. Jesus' audience may have thought they were paying attention to him, but in truth they were not. And how could they recognize his voice if they weren't willing to really listen? Then again, how can we fully appreciate the word of God in our own lives if we are not willing to listen? We may believe that we are paying attention, but are we? Or do we let the sounds of our sinful inclination draw our attention away from God? When the good shepherd speaks are we ready to follow, or are we left scratching our heads in confusion?

The good news is that there is a shepherd, and there is a word from the Lord. We still have the opportunity to listen to what God is saying, and the more we listen the more attuned to God's will we become. Like any other skill listening takes practice and it takes patience. But if we are to be who God has called us to be we need to open our ears. How else will we recognize the right voice?

Prayer: God of love and mercy, continue to speak to us so that we may hear and understand. In the name of Jesus the good shepherd. Amen.