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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.” John 10:27–28
The image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is an endearing image. Many
artists have depicted the gentleness of Christ as He leads His
sheep or carries a straying lamb on His shoulders. We are given
this image today as we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday.
In our short Gospel passage today, Jesus addressed some of the Jews
who were trying to trap Him in His speech. Prior to this passage,
they asked Him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If
you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” To that, Jesus responded, “I
told you and you do not believe.” Jesus answered this way because
the people questioning Him were not interested in actually knowing
whether He was the Messiah. Instead, they wanted to accuse Him of
blasphemy. But Jesus tells them that He already told them Who He
was through His works: “The works I do in my Father’s name testify
to me.”
Do you see the works of God in your life? If you do, then it is
important to understand that Jesus’ works are one of the primary
ways that He speaks to you and leads you as your Shepherd. God
certainly speaks to us through His Word as it is revealed in the
Scriptures and in the teachings of the Church. But He also speaks
to us through His works. Among the many works of God in your life
is the work of grace by which God enables you to grow in virtue.
Therefore, it is important to look for the ways that supernatural
virtue grows in your life. For example, do you see courage in the
face of fear? If so, what is God saying to you through the increase
of this virtue? Do you see a supernatural ability to forgive
another? If so, what is God telling you through the increase of
that virtue? Do you see an increase in the virtue of piety, by
which your life of prayer becomes more important to you? If so,
what is God saying to you through the increase of this
virtue?
The discernment of the will of God enables us to hear His voice and
follow Him. And one of the best ways to discern the will of God is
to look for the ways that God is touching your life. Where you see
virtue increase, the will of God is present and is calling you to
grow in that area. Conversely, if there is something in your life
that leads you to sin, and, thus, a decrease in virtue, then this
is also God’s voice telling you to avoid these things.
Reflect, today, upon God’s actions that are perceptible in your
life. Even though God speaks clearly to us through His revealed
Word, He also speaks to us and shepherds us through His discernable
touching of our souls. Where you see virtue increase, you will find
the will of God. Where you see virtue decrease, you will not find
the will of God. Listen to God as He speaks to you this way so that
you will hear His voice, follow Him and receive eternal life.
My revealing Lord, You speak to me day and night, calling me to
follow You as my Shepherd. May I learn to perceive Your voice as
You speak to me in varied ways so that I can more readily follow
You wherever You lead. Jesus, my Good Shepherd, I trust in You.
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