TUESDAY APRIL 23, 2024
TUESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER B
Acts 11:19-26
John 10:22-30
THE IDENTITY OF THE SHEEP THAT BELONGS TO JESUS
The characters described to us today in the readings marking out those that belong to Jesus are not so much their holiness of life, or any other thing but just listening and hearing the voice of Jesus and the great desire to follow Jesus.
Indeed, the ability to listen, to hear and to follow are the basic requirements Jesus expects from his followers. Such openness to hear and follow guarantees Jesus sure protection over his flock, and assures the promises of never being lost, and the eternal gift of salvation, and eternal is assured.
The faithful hears the master. They submit to him willingly. They attend to him, listen attentively to his instructions. They never disagree with him, but are always obedient to his commands. Listening to the voice of the shepherd is very necessary. Because they rely on his instruction. First, they know his voice, because they have inclined their ears to him and long to hear him speak to them. Always anxious to carry our instructions and directives.
In our first reading, the account of the early believers of Antioch was given us. They lived the Christlike character and were recognized as Christians because they listened to the teachings of Christ and modeled their lives according to this teachings and the people saw how faithful they were in following the instructions, directives and ideals of the teachings of Christ and were known and addressed as Christians. In listening to Jesus voice, Barnabas understood the call to look out for Saul and went about searching for him and found him. In listening, they understood the mandate given them by God to teach in Antioch and they obeyed it. They built up the faithful believers who as well listened to them and lived the ideals of love of God and Neighbour.
Our world lacks the ideal of followership which entails listening to the voice of the master for instructions and following instructions of Jesus. We want to add our own voice sometimes, we go ahead to seek our own comfort and desires so we end up adulterating the message of the gospel because of our own personal values and desires which we mix up with the teachings of Christ. And here we become syncretic and such leads us away and far from Christ.
Most times we become stubborn to the teachings of Christ and follow the desires of our hearts fueled by selfishness, lure for egoism, materialism and other human tendencies that are somewhat inimical to the Christian spirit.
To assure our salvation, our steadfast belongingness to the sheepfold of Christ, assurance of our eternal heritage and salvation, and avert the doom of perishing with the world, Jesus reminds us that the key is listening to him, following his instruction unadulterated and living life in total submission to Christ’ teachings and instructions. This can only be achieved through concerted prayer life, meditation and disposition of the mind and heart to the voice and instructions of Christ, in his Holy Word, through the Church’s magisterium or teaching authority and through the meditative practices.
Heavenly Father, give us the disciples ear to listen and hear your voice, to always recognize your voice when you speak to us and to follow your instructions, your ways and live in your peace. May our belongingness in your sheepfold be assured us. Watch over us, keep us safe in your care and grant us peace and happiness through Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
