They say that to those who believe, no proof is necessary, but to those who don’t believe, no proof is sufficient. This is similar to what we see in the first reading. The jews were the chosen people. It is to them that Jesus and his disciples first preached the message. However, they rejected it. They did not hear God's voice. They did not understand God's message.
If you don’t hear God’s voice, maybe he is not your God.
The bible says that if we seek God with all of our hearts, we will find him. That is a promise. And as christians, we should seek God with all of our hearts. However, if we still do not find him. If we still do not hear him, then there is something wrong. If you do not hear his voice, probably you are not part of his sheep. Probably he is not God in your life.
God’s love is for all, both jews and gentiles. He is not exclusive. Being in among his sheep is not a privilege given to a select few. In fact, we see in the first reading how the disciples proclaimed him to all nations - Jews and Gentiles (Non Jews) alike. Three thousand were baptized that day. Meaning three thousand were not christians prior to Peter speaking. God welcomes all, but the decision to stay among God’s sheep is ours.
The gospel says that Jesus’ sheep hear his voice. Jesus himself said that. If we do not hear God’s voice, there may be a problem. If we do not listen to God’s voice. If we do not hear it. If we do not believe his words and his promises. If we do not believe that he has great plans for us, and instead do things our way. If we do not trust in Him and depend on other people and ourselves, then we are choosing to go out of his fold. Then maybe we are choosing to be away from him.
We should also build and strengthen our relationship with God so we can hear him better. We should take time and work on our faith and relationship with Him. Then it will be easier ti recognize and hear His voice in our lives.
Do I hear God’s voice in my life? Do I listen to him? Do I build my relationship with Him? What is he reminding me today? In this time if covid pandemic, what is God telling me to do? How does he want me to help others? How does he want me to act? Do I obey him?
God wants all of us to be with him, but the decision to stay with him rests on us. May we choose wisely.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for another Sunday. Thank you for another reminder. Thank you for being welcoming and loving. Thank you for your promises. Lord, sorry for forgetting this. Sorry for not doing my best to look for you and to search for you. I ask that you help me be more aware of you in my life. May I be sensitive to listen to your voice in my life. Help me seek you with all of my heart. And Help me choose you always. May I be your hands during this challenging time, and may in my own little way, I make you more alive and real. Amen.
Blessed Sunday!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
May 03, 2020
4th Sunday of Easter; Saint Philip and Saint James
FIRST READING
Acts 2:14a, 36–41
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice, and proclaimed: “Let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and they asked Peter and the other apostles, “What are we to do, my brothers?” Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is made to you and to your children and to all those far off, whomever the Lord our God will call.” He testified with many other arguments, and was exhorting them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand persons were added that day.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 23:1–3a, 3b–4, 5, 6 (1)
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or R. Alleluia.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. In verdant pastures he gives me repose; beside restful waters he leads me; he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or R. Alleluia.
He guides me in right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk in the dark valley I fear no evil; for you are at my side, with your rod and your staff that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or R. Alleluia.
You spread the table before me in the sight of my foes; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or R. Alleluia.
Only goodness and kindness follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. or R. Alleluia.
SECOND READING
1 Peter 2:20b–25
Beloved:
If you are patient when you suffer for doing what is good, this is a grace before God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you should follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.
When he was insulted, he returned no insult; when he suffered, he did not threaten; instead, he handed himself over to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you had gone astray like sheep, but you have now returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
ALLELUIA
John 10:14
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I am the good shepherd, says the Lord; I know my sheep, and mine know me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
John 10:1–10
Jesus said:
“Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter a sheepfold through the gate but climbs over elsewhere is a thief and a robber. But whoever enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice, as the shepherd calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has driven out all his own, he walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. But they will not follow a stranger; they will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Although Jesus used this figure of speech, the Pharisees did not realize what he was trying to tell them.
So Jesus said again, “Amen, amen, I say to you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters through me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. A thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”
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