The Voice of Jesus - Weekday Homily Video

Growing up, I noticed that my mother had a profound fondness for raising chickens. There were two primary reasons behind her affection for these feathered creatures. First, the chickens provided a steady supply of fresh eggs, which my mother skillfully transformed into delicious omelets. Second, the chickens themselves served as a source of meat, gracing our table in the form of tasty chicken curry, particularly during special occasions or when we had guests over.

We used to have a cocoa tree at the back of our house. This tree was very special for three reasons: it produced fruit abundantly, it was relatively short for easy climbing, and it was also home to a few of my mom's chickens at night. Though we had a shed for them, a few of them would have been happy to spend their night on the cocoa tree, which was not safe for them.

After our evening meal, my mother took her flashlight and headed to the chicken shed to ensure all her feathered friends were accounted for. Just like a dedicated kindergarten teacher, she would meticulously count each of the sixteen chickens, ensuring none were missing. However, there were occasions when the attendance was incomplete. In such instances, my mother would venture under the cocoa tree, often finding the absentee chickens. She would then call out to them, mimicking the familiar "kok-ko-ro-ko-kok" sound that chickens recognize. Interestingly, those missing chickens, upon hearing her voice, would swiftly descend from the trees and follow her back to the shed. They knew her voice. She knew them.

An Intimate Relationship

In John's gospel, we see an almost similar picture. Listen to Jesus: "The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (v. 29).

Shepherds in rocky Palestine, where Jesus lived and preached, and its neighboring countries hold three things dearly: water, their tents, and their sheep. The shepherd guides the sheep and is almost a "father" to the flock. He gives each one a name and allows them to sleep close to him and drink from his kettle of water.

Jesus draws a picture from the shepherd's life to illustrate a lesson about his relationship with his disciples: a relationship of intimacy, of service, and of offering. Jesus "knows his sheep"; He is related with His disciples in an intimate love. They, in turn, "hear his voice"; they listen to and obey His commandments as their personal response to Him.

In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it's easy to lose sight of this singular voice amid the clamor of competing demands and distractions. We're tempted by the allure of worldly masters, by the fleeting promises of success, power, and recognition. But in following these ephemeral masters, we risk losing ourselves in their shadows, drifting aimlessly without purpose or fulfilment.

Just as the chickens recognized the familiar call of their caretaker, so too are we called to attune our ears to the gentle yet commanding voice of Jesus. He calls us not to blindly follow but to know and be known by Him intimately. In His voice, we find guidance, comfort, and unwavering love.

So, let us pause amidst the noise, quieting our hearts and minds to listen for that familiar voice, the voice that leads to green pastures and still waters, the voice that offers abundant life, and ask ourselves, “Who is our master in life? Whose voice do we listen to?”

• Today’s Readings

• Father Boby's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. Please view the video on our Facebook page. (You don't need a Facebook account to view.) 

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