4th Sunday of Easter: 2024 Year B

John 10:11-18 Jesus said: "I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep… I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd

Our Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd. In today’s gospel we read, “No one can take them out of my hand.” No one is stronger than God, no one can wrestle a soul from God’s love and protection. Now, does that mean we are all saved and have nothing to worry about? It does and it doesn’t. If we hear Our Lord’s voice and we follow Him we have nothing to worry about; if we refuse to listen to His voice or if we refuse to follow Him then we have reason to worry.

He who comes to Me and hears My words and acts on them: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid his foundation on the rock. When the flood came, the torrent crashed against that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears My words and does not act on them is like a man who built his house on ground without a foundation. The torrent crashed against that house, and immediately it fell— and great was its destruction!” Luke 6:47-49;

No one can steal us from God’s hand, however we can freely stray away from His Hand. Throughout the Bible we are told to listen to his voice, in the New Testament it says:

And a voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him!” Luke 9:35; Matthew 17:5; Mark 9:7

Luke 11:28 - “But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God and observe it.’”

John 5:25 Truly, truly, I tell you, the hour is coming and has now come when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

John 18:37 “For this reason I was born and have come into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to My voice.”

Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me. Rev 3:20

Proverbs 8:32-34; Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Listen to instruction and be wise; do not ignore it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at the posts of my doorway.

“My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” Jn 21:1

John 8:47 - “He who is of God hears the words of God; for this reason you do not hear them, because you are not of God.”

Ps 95:1-2; “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts,

There is plenty more similar quotes. So what does it mean to hear His voice? Romans 10:17 - “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

Unfortunately in today’s world it is sometimes hard to distinguish Our Lord’s voice from false voices. Some false voices will try to make us doubt they will try to change our faith with doctrines not from God.

2Cor 11:13-15; For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness.

So how are we to distinguish Our Lord’s voice from false voices? We need to apply the principle given to us from the Bible “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hb 13:8. Our faith should not contradict the faith of the Apostles, the Fathers of the Church, the Doctors of the Church or Church teaching. St Paul warns us of people trying to change the revealed faith: Gal 1:8; But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be under a divine curse!

Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away. Mt 24:35

So let us ask the grace to always be attentive to Our Lord’s voice and follow Him faithfully. Here are some ways to recognize and hear God speaking to you:

Prayer and Listening: Prayer is a conversation with God, not just a monologue. When you pray, take time to listen. God speaks to us especially during prayer.

Scripture: The Bible is a powerful way to hear God’s voice. Read it daily. Meditate on Scripture, and let it inspire your thoughts, desires, and actions.

Eucharistic Adoration: Spend time with Jesus in Eucharistic Adoration. Sit quietly with the Creator of the universe, allowing His presence to speak to your heart.

Submission and Surrender: Begin by submitting yourself to God. Commit or recommit your life to Christ. Tell God daily, “Lord, here I am. I have come to do Your will.” Even if you’re unsure of His specific plan for you, keep offering yourself to Him. God must come first for everything else in your life to fall into place.

Seek Spiritual Guidance: If you need further help discerning God’s voice, talk to your pastor, confessor, or a spiritual director. They can guide you in recognizing His promptings in your life.