The Sheepfold and the Voice of the Shepherd

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Stone sheepfold John 10:22-30 Recently my boys have been spending a great deal of time outside in the area that will soon be transformed into our garden. They spend endless hours digging in the dirt for worms. They then promptly take those worms and throw them to the chickens. It amazes me how even chickens can learn to recognize sounds or voices. My oldest makes this funny high-pitched sound when he comes out of the house and heads toward the coop. The chickens practically fall over themselves running toward the fence or out of the coop when they hear him making his sound. They know there is food to follow! In Sunday's Gospel Jesus tells us that, "My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me." and "I am the gate for the sheep." Today, again, Jesus mentions that His sheep know His voice and follow Him.  In these few verses we learn that Jesus is both gate and shepherd for the sheep. In those days and even today in some places, a sheepfold w
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30 Day Prayer Challenge - Day 14

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*The 30 Day Prayer Challenge is hosted by Real Life Rosary.  During these 30 days we are using the book 4 Simple Steps to Better Meditations to dive deeper into reading the daily scriptures.  Please click any of links for more information.  Join our Facebook Group to stay up to date.

Feast of St. Lawrence of Brindisi

Step #1 - Clear the Mind.

No distractions to speak of this morning.  Thank you, Lord!


Step #2 - Read the Scriptures

Today's readings can be found here.  The 1st half of the 1st reading was very comforting but the 2nd half was convicting.  The Gospel gave me an initial feeling of pity for those who do not see or hear the word of God in their life.  That quickly changed...

Step #3 - Join the Story

As I listened to the words of Jesus, a sense of pride entered my heart.  His words stirred me with pity for the "others", for those who do not see or hear him.  I felt bad for those people who come here to listen to him simply for entertainment...or bread.  As I looked around the crowd, I began to judge or at least guess who might not be "getting it."  My pride made me feel superior to the "others" because I was clearly one of those who hears and sees.

Then I thought, "isn't this exactly the problem or issue God has against his people in the First Reading?"  God's people were clearly chosen, but not to be set apart from the world as other or better.  Rather, they, and I, are set apart to be light and truth.  Their pride turned their eyes upon themselves and their ears to their own words.  They became deaf and blind to the will of God.

I quickly realized how easily I too become deaf and blind.  My pride in thinking that I have all of the answers blinds me to God's answers.  It makes me deaf to his word.  In this blindness and with this lack of hearing I look at God's will but do not see, I listen to his word but do not hear.

However, this is not an excuse for despair but a grace to seek humility and an encouragement to be more open to God.  In fact, I laughed a bit at myself for being so foolish as to think I have perfect vision and excellent hearing.  Lord, give me glasses and hearing aides so I can love you more!

Step #4 - Talk/Listen to God


Dear Lord, give me eyes to see, ears to hear, and a heart to understand.  Help me to be more humble.  Give me the grace to read your word each day as though it were for the first time.  Open my heart and let your word and your grace penetrate my heart and change me more and more into the image and likeness of your Son.

Step #5 - Bonus Step - Thanksgiving


Dear Lord, thank you for this time of prayer and meditation.  Thank you for another day to know you, to love you, and to serve you.  Thank you for all of the people joining us during these 30 days.  Help us all to grow in our love for you and one another!  Open our eyes and ears!

Today is Thursday, I would encourage you to pray the Luminous Mysteries of the Rosary.  Here are the Luminous Mysteries of Work.

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