We are His Sheep: A Most Calming Voice

We are His Sheep: A Most Calming Voice

John Chapter 10:1-6

"So Jesus again said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber; but he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens; the sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.” 

This will be the first post of a new series where I will take a Christian theme and present it in my own way throughout the month. No promises that this will continue after our second angel arrives, but I will try my best 😁

When Daniel came out of the womb and into the world, though he was unaware of his surroundings, he did recognize something, the voices of His Mommy and Daddy. He found comfort in those voices. Children recognize voices from inside the mother's womb and come to identify them as the voices of their parents, the ones that will lead them and guide them and protect them and love them no matter what. It's easy to see why such sweet sounds would create great calm in a child. 

Now too, when Daniel awakens from sleep, Brandy and I will call out to him through the baby monitor to let him know that we're coming to get him. We don't have to say who it is, he knows our voices. 

It's the same with Jesus, except His voice sounds different to us as Jesus speaks to us in different ways. He speaks to us through our prayers, through other Christians, through His Most Holy Word, and through the Sacraments and Teachings of the Church. The more we Come to know Christ as He came to us 2000 years ago and as He comes to us today, the easier to it is to recognize Him and then to follow Him, our greatest purpose in life. 

I see it in my own life. The more I encounter Jesus in the previously mentioned ways, the more I can recognize Him in whatever situation I encounter. When I become angry and want to express that anger in an unhealthy way, Jesus speaks through prayer and I find myself more willing to take a different approach to dealing with anger instead of hurting those I love. 

Too, when I feel I can never be forgiven for my sins, Jesus speaks through His priest in the sacrament of confession saying, "Your sins are forgiven, go in peace." We are His hands, His feet, and often his mouthpiece to each other. 

When anxiety dominates my thoughts and there appears to be no relief in sight, time spent in the Word of God, hearing Jesus's most calming voice can be the ultimate and perhaps only remedy that can help my mind discover some kind of peace. 

Prayer

Lord Jesus, we glorify You and we offer you praise for you are the Good Shepard and We are Your sheep. We love You Lord. Please help us to recognize your voice and listen for it even in the most difficult times. May we find comfort and peace through listening for Your most calming voice.