Fourth Sunday of Easter, April 30 . . . "Voice Recognition"
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Fourth Sunday of Easter - April 30th, 2023 (Click Here for Readings)
The Lord is my Shepherd. There is nothing I shall want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; Beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul. He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side with your rod and your staff that give me courage. You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; And I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for years to come. (Psalm 23)
We may pray this beautiful Psalm on occasion, but when some of its conditions are not met for us, we can risk relying on voices of other more worldly shepherds who may appeal more to our temporal needs. Though Christ is our one and only true shepherd, we can often error in discerning which shepherds to follow.
So let us pray this Psalm, not just on occasion, but frequently because no prayer is more insulating and protective from the values and temptations of secular-minded shepherds.
We also need this prayer when we find ourselves under the wings of superiors, bosses, influential co-workers and friends who may often get in the way between us and Christ. In such cases, it’s important to know that we are always working for our Lord despite the hardships we may undergo with our worldly shepherds. As it’s said in Colossians 3: 22-24 . . .
Slaves, obey your human masters in everything, not only when being watched, as currying favor, but in simplicity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do from the heart, as for the Lord and not for others, knowing that you will receive from the Lord the due payment of the inheritance; be slaves of the Lord Christ.
So let us always listen for Jesus' voice just as the sheep listen for their shepherd. Let us train ourselves to distinguish his voice from those of the thieves and robbers who come to steal, slaughter and destroy it. In a world of destructive voices, the voice of Jesus will always be able to penetrate the sounds and signs that threaten our relationship and intimacy with him.
In the same way the best of parents can single out the voices of their children as they play among crowds of friends, Jesus will also single us out among crowds of people when we may feel glossed over by him.
When we call for our one and most true of all Shepherds, let us always know that the hairs of our head are all counted, and that we are more valuable than a great number of sparrows. (Luke 12:7)
For more reflections on the Sunday readings, Go Here
