My sheep hear my voice;
To hear the voice is Jesus in the sense of which Jesus spoke was also to obey. But the nuance was different than that of a king commanding a subject. In this instance we see that the sheep were not so much executing the orders and commandments of an authority figure as being drawn by the voice of a shepherd. It was not so much that they heard something and then went and did it as that they engaged in the continuous act of remaining as close as possible to the voice of the shepherd. A king who was not a shepherd was might send his subjects to distant lands to do his bidding for his benefit. But a shepherd king went first and his sheep followed after. His sheep were his priority, more than his own power or profit. Such a king would reverse the worldly paradigm were subjects were made to suffer and die for those in power. The Good Shepherd, Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords (see Revelation 17:14), would lay down his life for his sheep.
While we may also understand that the voice of Jesus is that which is captured in Sacred Scripture and in the demands of our (properly formed) consciences, the imagery used by Jesus implied something more direct, intimate, and relational. We don't typically imagine sheep reading words, or engaging in mental rumination, and then rationally reflecting and realizing that, after all, those were the voice of Jesus, and then at last obeying that voice. It was something more immediate and recognizable, even though it might manifest during the reading of Scripture or in mental reflection. It had the power to command in such a way that the command could be followed even without complete comprehension. It often did not manifest as a fully formed plan, but only revealed the next step to be taken, which was always to place oneself one step closer to Christ.
We can see from recent readings from Acts how the Lord did in fact speak to those in the early Church. We read about what "the Lord said" to Ananias, to Philip, and to Paul, giving them all concrete, specific directions. Nor should we think that such favors were reserved to the early Church. For we too receive the Holy Spirit, who communicates gifts such as words of wisdom, words of knowledge, and prophecy (see First Corinthians 12:7-10). Nor should we think ourselves to ordinary and insignificant to receive such favors since we too are among his sheep and therefore we too hear his voice.
There are a variety of reasons why we may not recognize actual experiences of hearing his voice in our lives. The first is if we are not listening. One may not listen because one doesn't care. But one may also not listen if he doesn't believe there is something to hear. Such a one might treat prayer as a phone call that is entirely one sided, filling space with his own words, and leaving no space for the words of the Other. Second, one may listen but not hear because he is unable to discern the voice of the Lord from others. But sheep aren't born knowing the voice of the shepherd. They have to grow accustomed to it by constant exposure and training, even as Samuel did when the Lord first called to him (see First Samuel 3:7-11). It is likely that whatever our current familiarity with the voice of Jesus, there is room to grow. And growth in that area will allow us to be more docile, more easily led, and therefore consistently closer to Jesus himself.
I know them, and they follow me.
This reflection is an exhortation addressed to we who are sheep. Because of that we've reflected a lot on our role, and how we can draw near to Jesus. But the Gospel today reminds us that it is not primarily about us or our efforts. Even if we find it frustrating to listen to the voice of the Lord, and if he seems distant and hard to hear, nevertheless the main reason we are able to follow him and gradually grow in discerning his voice, is not so much because we know him as because, as he says, "I know them". As sheep, it is probably inevitable that we won't often feel smart, successful, or highly competent. But we can still be confident. Not in ourselves, of course, but in him.
No one can take them out of my hand.
His desire to save us is greater than our desire to be saved. He loves us more than we love ourselves, and desires better for us than we could ever ask or imagine. He is leading us to a future so good that images fall short. As long as we remain sufficiently docile no other force in the universe can take us from his hand. And as long as we remain there we will one day experience the exulted vision described in Revelation:
The one who sits on the throne will shelter them.
They will not hunger or thirst anymore,
nor will the sun or any heat strike them.
For the Lamb who is in the center of the throne
will shepherd them
and lead them to springs of life-giving water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.
John B. Miller - Speak Lord I'm Listening
The Dwelling Of God Is Among You Today
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