Acts 13:14, 43-52; Rev. 7:9, 14b-17; Jn. 10:27-30
The imagery of the shepherd is deeply rooted in the Old Testament. God is depicted as the Shepherd of Israel in Psalm 23: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” David, the shepherd-king, foreshadows Christ as the ultimate Shepherd who knows His flock intimately and leads them to safety. Ezekiel 34 speaks of God’s promise to search for His sheep and care for them, an echo of Jesus’ mission.
Consider the calling of Samuel (1 Samuel 3). As a young boy, Samuel heard the voice of God calling him by name. Initially mistaking it for Eli’s voice, Samuel eventually responded with the words, “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” This readiness to hear and obey mirrors the call Jesus extends to His sheep.
Moses’ encounter with God at the burning bush (Exodus 3) is another powerful example. Though reluctant and feeling inadequate, Moses listened to God’s voice and followed His direction, ultimately leading the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt. These Old Testament examples highlight the transformative power of hearing and responding to God’s call.
Throughout history, saints have modeled what it means to hear Jesus’ voice and follow Him. One compelling example is St. Francis of Assisi. Born into wealth, Francis heard Jesus’ call in the words, “Rebuild my Church.” Abandoning his privileged life, Francis embraced poverty and rebuilt both physical churches and the spiritual lives of countless people.
St. Teresa of Calcutta (Mother Teresa) offers another profound testimony. Hearing Jesus’ call to serve “His most unloved,” she founded the Missionaries of Charity. Her work among the poorest of the poor, in conditions many would deem impossible, exemplifies the miraculous power of listening to Jesus.
St. Damien of Molokai, who ministered to lepers in Hawaii, heard Jesus’ voice in the suffering of the outcast. Despite the risks to his own health, he lived among them, providing physical and spiritual care until succumbing to leprosy himself. These saints remind us that when we listen to Jesus, we can achieve the impossible.
In the modern world, countless individuals continue to hear and respond to Jesus’ call. In the modern world, countless individuals continue to hear and respond to Jesus’ call. Consider the work of Dr. Paul Farmer, a physician and anthropologist who dedicated his life to providing healthcare to impoverished communities. Farmer's commitment to the sick and the poor—especially in places like Haiti and Rwanda—was not merely medical but deeply spiritual. His life exemplified the Good Shepherd's care, as he often worked in remote areas where others dared not go, treating patients with profound dignity and love. Farmer co-founded Partners In Health, an organization that revolutionized healthcare delivery for the underserved by prioritizing the human person over profit or efficiency. Inspired by a deep moral conviction, grounded in liberation theology and his Catholic faith, Farmer saw Christ in the suffering and made it his mission to serve them, no matter the cost. He often quoted Matthew 25, seeing Jesus in "the least of these," and believed that access to healthcare was a fundamental human right. His life reminds us that miracles still happen—not always in dramatic healings, but in the tireless love and compassion shown in Christ's name.
Closer to the Church, Pope Francis has been a living example of hearing and following the Shepherd’s voice. His humility, care for the marginalized, and emphasis on environmental stewardship echo Jesus’ call to love and serve. His choice of the name Francis, in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, underscores his commitment to living out the Gospel.
Jesus’ declaration that “The Father and I are one” emphasizes the divine authority behind His promise. This unity assures us of the unbreakable bond between the Shepherd and His sheep. The Old Testament points to this unity in passages like Isaiah 9:6, which prophesies the coming of the Messiah as the “Mighty God” and “Everlasting Father.”
The assurance that no one can snatch us from Jesus’ hand reflects God’s covenant faithfulness, as seen in His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite human failings, God’s steadfast love endures, offering security to those who trust Him.
Hearing Jesus’ voice is not passive; it demands action. In a world plagued by inequality, environmental degradation, and spiritual apathy, Jesus calls us to be His hands and feet. He challenges us to:
Care for the Vulnerable: As seen in Matthew 25:35-40, Jesus identifies with the hungry, the sick, and the imprisoned. Responding to His voice means serving those in need. A touching example of this comes from the story of a retired schoolteacher in Kerala, India. After her retirement, Mary noticed that many elderly people in her neighborhood lived alone and struggled with basic needs. Instead of choosing a life of rest, she opened the doors of her modest home to a few elderly women who had no family. She cooked for them, bathed them, and sat with them as they told their stories. Eventually, she converted her home into a small shelter, operating entirely on donations and her pension. When asked why she did it, she replied, “I hear Jesus in their cries. If I didn’t open the door, how could I say I follow Him?” Her quiet, unrecognized service to the abandoned elderly was a profound echo of the Good Shepherd’s heart.
Seek Justice and Reconciliation: In a polarized world, Jesus’ message calls us to bridge divides and promote peace. His example of forgiving His enemies, even on the cross, sets the standard for us to follow. A powerful example of this is the story of Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa. After spending 27 years in prison for resisting apartheid, Mandela emerged not with bitterness, but with a commitment to forgiveness and reconciliation. Rather than seek revenge against his oppressors, he invited them to the table of peace. His leadership led to the formation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, where victims and perpetrators could meet in honesty, confession, and healing. Mandela once said, "As I walked out the door toward the gate that would lead to my freedom, I knew if I didn't leave my bitterness and hatred behind, I'd still be in prison." His life demonstrates the liberating power of forgiveness and the courage it takes to heal a nation divided by hate—an echo of the cross and Christ’s final words, “Father, forgive them.”
Be Stewards of Creation: Inspired by Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, we are reminded of our responsibility to care for the earth. Listening to Jesus includes heeding His call to protect the world God entrusted to us.
A moving example comes from the life of Wangari Maathai, the Kenyan environmentalist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Motivated by her Christian faith and love for her people and the land, Maathai founded the Green Belt Movement in 1977, empowering women to plant trees, combat deforestation, and restore degraded environments across Africa. Despite facing political opposition, arrest, and violence, she remained steadfast in her mission. Wangari often spoke of creation as a sacred gift from God and believed that destroying nature was a sin against future generations. Through her grassroots work, over 50 million trees were planted, and countless communities were educated about sustainability. Her legacy reminds us that stewardship is not passive—it is a sacred act of love, justice, and reverence for the Creator.
Jesus’ promise of eternal life transcends the trials of this world. This assurance has sustained countless believers, from the martyrs of the early Church to Christians persecuted today. It invites us to live with hope and courage, knowing that our ultimate destiny is secure in Christ.
The voice of the Good Shepherd continues to call us today, offering a relationship of love, guidance, and security. Like Samuel, Moses, and the saints, we are invited to listen and respond with trust. The examples of contemporary disciples, including Pope Francis, challenge us to live out Jesus’ message in practical ways.
As we navigate the complexities of modern life, let us attune our ears to the Shepherd’s voice, embrace His demands, and find courage in His promise: “They will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand.” In doing so, we participate in His mission and experience the fullness of life He offers. Amen.
Satish