Daily Meditation - Monday 14April 2008 - 4th Wk Easter - THE VOICE OF THE LORD and BEING ATTUNED

[BarbaraTherese]

Readings
usccb.org/nab/041408.shtml

Meditation
wau.org/meditations/meditations.asp?month=4&day=14&year=2008&x=7&y=5

John 10:11-18

"I am the good shepherd." (John 10:14)

Is it really possible for everyone to hear the voice of the Lord? Well, Moses heard God speaking from a burning bush. St. Joseph heard him in dreams. St. Faustina heard Jesus in a vision so clearly that she could describe to an artist the picture he asked to be painted of him.

These stories may seem fantastical to us. Still, most of us have had a sense of knowing God’s presence and what he wants to say to us. These senses—even if fleeting—all show us that we really do have spiritual instincts, and that they need to be cultivated

.

• A mother may be in a room full of toddlers, but when she hears her little one crying, she knows the voice immediately and springs into action.
• A basketball player instinctively knows how to control his body as he throws the ball through the hoop.
• These responses become automatic through experience and practice.
• It takes being conscious of your surroundings yet staying aware of what’s most important.

Such “practice” gradually brings a person to a level where he or she takes action quite confidently. The mother goes to check on the crying child. The basketball player lobs the ball expecting it to drop through its target. ***And we know when Jesus speaks to us. ***

As you try to listen to the Lord during the day, you may be surprised at how available he really is. A good foundation of prayer and Scripture reading

can prepare you to recognize his presence in the people around you and in his creation.

• Gradually, the question shifts from if God will speak to you—to become one of how he will do it.
• Listen for his voice in the child crying for loving attention.
• Be ready as he whispers to your heart the words to say to a sick friend.
• Hear God’s encouragement in little successes and failures.
• And remember: Even professional basketball players miss the basket sometimes.

By stepping out in faith

, trusting in Jesus’ desire to be with you, you can take action with confidence. Your spiritual instincts can connect you with the strength that opens channels for better listening.

• You will become more in tune to recognizing his voice and enjoy the fruit that this bears.

“Jesus, you love me so much that you are always with me.
Thank you for letting me hear you
in so many ways.”

 

[bwhite06517]

One Flock, One Shepherd (John 10:16)

I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.

Jesus said “I have other sheep” about the Gentiles - the non-Jews - the other sheep that were not in the Jewish ‘fold’. (As a non-Jewish person, I am so glad that I have become part of Jesus’ flock of ‘sheep’ (and our other reading for today is that reaching out to the Gentiles (Acts 11:1-18))

But, the second part of this verse talks of “one flock, one shepherd”. What disappointment Jesus must have as he looks at the many who call themselves “Christians”. There are many flocks - and we quarrel about who is our shepherd.

Jesus said to Peter in John 21:15-17:

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.” Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you truly love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.

Heavenly Father, we pray for Christian unity - under the shepherding of the successor of St. Peter (who was told to care for the sheep)!!! Amen

(And we pray for a safe trip for Pope Benedict XVI as he travels to the United States - may his trip cause many to return “home” and to follow Jesus!!!)