02/21/2025 – My Sheep Hear My Voice
Scripture: John 10: 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”
Reflection: The greatest assurance we have is that we belong to Christ. Live each day with the assurance that you belong to Christ! He claims to you: My sheep hear my voice! It is easy to identify the sheep who belong to Christ because they hear His voice and follow Him! Ultimately the reason that people do not have faith, the reason they do not have true love, the reason they do not live according to the word of God is simply that they are not His sheep. But if you are His sheep you will naturally hear His voice and follow Him and love others. It is simply your nature.
Our Lord contrasts His identity as our shepherd with those of the hireling and the thief. The hirelings are also shepherds, but they do not own the sheep. They are not willing to sacrifice for them.
The thief is only interested in the sheep for personal gain. He came to steal your joy, your confidence in Christ. He came to destroy the unity of your marriage and the communion with your brethren. Ultimately, the thief comes to kill. There is a price on your soul because there are those who would benefit from your death, and you are powerless against them in your own strength. But Christ is the good shepherd. He has sacrificed everything to give you abundant, eternal life!