19 April 2016 - voice recognition

[ Today's Readings ]

Jesus, teach us to follow you to life. We have heard that you are the Christ. Help us to fully believe in the words you speak and the works you do.

My sheep hear my voice;
I know them, and they follow me. 

We want to be among your sheep. We need to be among your sheep. It is only here that we are safe.

I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. 
No one can take them out of my hand. 

There is someone who would take us out of your hand if he could. But you are stronger. You have conquered. He has no power over your sheep. But woe to those who remain outside of your hand by their own choice. How can they be anything but easy pickings for the wolves? They are not excluded by your choice but by their own.

Soften all of our hearts to listen to you, believe you, and follow you more completely. Help us all to remain in your hand and to avail ourselves of the safety and security that can only be found here.

My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all,
and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. 
The Father and I are one.

LORD, your Spirit is at work in us. Your grace is in our midst. But we still need reminders to remain "faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart". We still need to rejoice and be encouraged about the great things you are doing. We need to appreciate it all so that we can own it more fully and so more fully embody it in our lives.

For a whole year they met with the Church
and taught a large number of people,
and it was in Antioch that the disciples
were first called Christians.

All the nations are invited to embrace this reality. Every man, woman, and child, is invited to share this joy.

They shall note, when the peoples are enrolled:
“This man was born there.”
And all shall sing, in their festive dance:
“My home is within you.”