Fourth Sunday of Easter

Recognizing The Voices That Matter

MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE

Lord God, giver of all life, you are everywhere in creation. Yet, we at times fail to recognize your voice. There is so much noise, so many distractions; we get overwhelmed. Open our ears to hear your song of love. Help us tune out the voices that lead us into the corners where light doesn’t shine. Give us the courage to heed your call to new life.

Share about someone whose voice you would recognize and trust immediately, even if you heard just a short phrase. How did I come to trust that voice?

US-Mexico Border Patrol (Sean Sprague)

It can be very difficult to discern the voice of the Good Shepherd amidst conflicting messages in the world today. In February 2025, Pope Francis addressed a letter to the U.S. bishops, expressing deep concern over the Trump administration’s immigration policies, particularly the mass deportations of migrants. He emphasized that equating illegal status with criminality undermines the inherent dignity of individuals forced to migrate due to extreme conditions. The Pope cautioned that policies built on force rather than truth “will end badly,” urging the faithful to reject narratives that discriminate against migrants and refugees. Vice President J.D. Vance responded by saying that one should prioritize one’s own countrymen over others. Pope Francis countered by referencing the Parable of the Good Samaritan, illustrating that true Christian love transcends boundaries and extends to all, irrespective of their status or origin. He called for a fraternity open to all, without exception, challenging any rationale that justifies exclusion or marginalization.

Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”. John 10:27-30

To truly recognize someone’s voice, we need a deep familiarity with them. For most of us, the first voice we come to know is that of our mother—one we can distinguish instinctively, even without focusing on the words being spoken. In the same way, Jesus is confident that his sheep will recognize his voice. In a world filled with competing voices, discerning the voice of the Good Shepherd requires attentiveness and familiarity with who he really is. Many claim to follow Christ, yet struggle to distinguish his voice from those that lead astray. As missionary disciples, we are called to develop an intimate relationship with Jesus, learning to recognize his voice amid the noise. This means discerning between voices that bring life and those that lead to destruction and death, choosing always to follow the words of God’s love.

What distractions or competing voices in your life make it difficult to hear the Good Shepherd? How can you tune out the distractions and create space to listen more deeply?

In a world filled with competing voices, tuning our hearts to the Good Shepherd requires intentional practice. Since the time of Jesus, Christians have gathered in small communities to break open the Word and discern together the Good Shepherd’s voice. Join a local faith-sharing community this week, and if there isn’t one available, join us online on Wednesday for Chewing on the Word.

Lord, in the noise and distractions of our daily lives, help us to recognize your voice, that of the Good Shepherd calling us to truth, love, and action. Tune our hearts to your wisdom, that we may listen with clarity and follow with courage. Strengthen us to be beacons of hope, reflecting your love in our words and deeds, especially to those on the margins. May our discernment lead us not just to hear, but to respond—to step forward in faith, guided by your light. Amen.