4th Sunday of Easter

   "My sheep hear my voice." Jn 10:27

Hearing the voice of someone you can trust is a very comforting sound, especially if you are in a difficult or new situation. The first time I traveled to Bolivia I got off the plane after 15 hours of travel, looked around and could not find a familiar face, but after collecting my baggage, I heard the friar I was intending to visit call my name. Although I was far from New York and very tired, I felt at home.

Shepherds in the ancient world did that for their sheep. Most shepherd's had a different whistle or sound for each of their sheep and when the sheep heard their master's whistle, they followed him. He was their guardian and would lead them to fertile pastures where they could eat and drink.

Most of us have had people in our lives who seem able to hear us on a level that both sustains and challenges us. Gifted with the ability not to speak too quickly or forcefully, our shepherds help us understand ourselves and the God who seems silent but always has a message. Although we often resist their insights, eventually we let go and trust the God who speaks through them.

Today, be grateful for the shepherds in your life who help you hear God's voice.

Whose voice was most important to your growth as a person?

St Damien of Molokai

 "I have told you this so that  my joy might be in you and your joy might be complete." Jn 15:11

Most saints are identified with where they were born. St. Francis, for instance, was born in Assisi, making both Assisi and Francis famous. But some saints, because their lives took a different course, are identified with the city or place where they ministered. Today, we celebrate St. Damien of Molokai, who, although he was born in  Belgium, lifted up the island of Molokai as a holy place because it was the home of those who were exiled there as lepers.

Damien forced the people of his day to look at lepers as people who were sick, not sick people. By emphasizing their humanity in the middle of their isolation, Damien not only helped change the way we look at the sick, but helped lepers seem themselves differently. His efforts to treat lepers with dignity led to decent housing, adequate health care, and most important of all, joy to those who had been abandoned because of their illness. Though the lepers for whom Damien gave his life were not cured, they surely were healed by the tender care Damien offered them and by his efforts of their behalf.

Today, thank God for your human and Christian dignity.

Who taught you most suffering with dignity?

Conversion

   "Saul, Saul, why are your persecuting me?" Acts 22:7

Almost everyone has a conversion experience or three. Struggling for an identity or reflecting on the scriptures, there is a moment that stops us and reminds us who we are. Though it is not always life changing, it can be.

For St Paul, who thought of himself as among the most observant of Jews, it surely was. Blinded by a great light on his way to Damascus to continue his persecution of Christians, he heard a voice telling him, "I am Jesus the Nazorean whom you are persecuting." (Acts 22:8) Unable to see because of the great light, his companions led him into Damascus where Ananias healed him of his blindness and told him to return to Jerusalem and be baptized. Not long afterwards God told Paul to leave Jerusalem and go to the Gentiles among whom he would find his life's mission.

While it appears that for St Paul the memory of his dramatic conversion was all he ever needed, we can be sure that this is not true. While all who open themselves to the power of the Holy Spirit will be led more deeply into Christ and into mission, there will be moments of disabling doubt and confusion when we will wrestle with God and with life. Only after we lose the battle to be in charge of our own lives and throw ourselves again at God's feet and ask for mercy, will we find the path to the next stage of our journey. Indeed, God has a mission for all, but it is God's mission, not ours.

Today ask God to send you again on his mission, not yours.

How can each of us continue to be converted in Christ?

Letting Scripture Transform Us

  “'Do you understand what you are reading?' He replied, 'How can I, unless someone instructs me?'” Acts 8:38

Unfortunately, in a Twitter world where all communication is limited to a set number of characters, too many believers cling to or focus on one phrase from the Gospel and use it as a lens for their spiritual lives. Doing this almost always leads to misunderstanding and confusion.  The New Testament cannot be fairly read or understood when we remove it from its own cultural context and setting.

The Ethiopian eunuch reading the scriptures alone knew he needed help and asked Philip to instruct him There should be little doubt that Philip responded to this seeker's request using all the information and skill he had. Blessed with so much wonderful scholarship and insight, we ought to follow Philip's example in the 21st century.

Today, pick up a Catholic study bible and read the introduction to one of the Gospels.

Who or what most helped you to understand the scriptures more deeply?