Homily

“My Sheep hear my voice,” we hear in Scripture. Furthermore, we hear that his sheep follow him. These are the words of Jesus. An obvious question is: do we hear his voice, really? Do we accept the role of his being the shepherd and we his sheep? Do we really want to follow him? This is critical in the life of a Christian. By doing so we are choosing a life which looks much different than what our society holds up. For some it may open us to ridicule it did to Paul and Barnabas.

Today is the world day of prayer for vocations. As such, these readings can take on a specific sense in terms of a vocation. The fact is that God is calling each of us. Furthermore, God’s call is unique and will give us fulfillment in our lives. To have a vocation means that one is being called. “Vocare” is the Latin root meaning to be called or to call. But in order for a calling to be lived out, one must be able to hear and listen to that call. Some of us wander aimlessly because we don’t know what we are being called to do. There are many reasons for this.

One may be pride. We don’t want someone else telling us what to do or we want to be in charge of our lives. Obedience is a foul word in our lives.

Another may be what I will call false humility. It looks like being humble but is another disguise for pride. When hearing the call, we dismiss it because we don’t accept it for it is too great or not in our tool belt of talents. To continue the shepherd metaphor, we are too sheepish to be truly in God’s flock.

Another may be that we work or live in an environment that is antagonistic to the life in the Spirit. Maybe our homes are not places of prayer or respect for God or each other.

Another is that we are not tuned in to the voice of the shepherd. We have, through our lifestyle, a-tuned the ear of our heart to some other calling than God’s, possibly the world.

First, pray. Set aside standard times to pray. Put it in your calendar so that nothing interferes with it. Find a special place in your home where you can pray. Maybe include a candle and some inspiration music to get you in the right frame of mind.

Second, read the Scriptures. Put your Bible in a readily accessible place. Maybe make an effort to go to daily Mass or buy a little book reflecting on the Readings.

Third, listen to the teachings of the Church. Go on the Vatican’s web site and read some documents that feed you. Buy a catechism or find a good book on prayer or a teaching that will feed you.

Recall the zeal and joy that drove Paul and Barnabas. Think about how in tuned the writer of the Book of Revelation was in order to perceive God’s revelation.