“My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. ” – John 10:27-28
If we want to be among Jesus’ sheep, we must hear His voice and follow Him. No one can claim to be in His flock if they don’t recognize and listen to/for His voice.
But, as I sit here meditating on these words this morning, what I find most consoling is that Jesus says of His sheep: “No one can take them out of my hand” (John 10:28).
Just hearing His voice isn’t enough. Just listening isn’t enough. The soul must draw and stay close to Jesus AND follow the Good Shepherd.
The great news though is that if we do our part in listening and following His voice, Jesus promises to keep us safe, and firmly united with Him. When that happens, nothing can harm us, nothing can steal away our peace, and nothing can keep us from God.
To hear His voice, the soul must be close to the Shepherd. He must be in the Bible daily, drawing consistently from the Sacraments, especially Confession and Eucharist. The soul must spend time with the Shepherd in Eucharistic Adoration. The soul must speak with and listen for the Shepherd in consistent prayer.
“pray without ceasing” – 1 Thessalonians 5:17
God speaks through the Sacraments, especially the Eucharist and Reconciliation, where His grace cleanses, strengthens, and reveals His will. Prayer is essential. Fidelity to daily prayer deepens our ability to hear God, fostering the silence and trust needed for intimacy with Him. Finally, God speaks through daily life—through others, the beauty of creation, and even our crosses.
The more we quiet our hearts, immerse ourselves in His Word, pray (listen) and trust in His providence, the more we will hear and follow our divine Shepherd.
A sheep which doesn’t stay close to the shepherd begins to wander. This sheep then edges slowly out of ear shot of the shepherd and runs the risk of becoming lost. Or, worse, overtaken by the wolves (demons) lurking in hiding.
But, when the sheep stays close by, it remains under the watchful guardianship of the shepherd. The shepherd will be close at hand to keep the wolves at bay and the sheep safe. The shepherd will always guide the sheep to still waters and green pastures (Psalm 23:2).
Jesus is the Good Shepherd Who will lay down His life for the smallest and least of His flock. Be comforted in knowing that in our Good Shepherd we are safe and “No one will snatch them out of my hand.”