Jesus said: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever does not enter the sheepfold through the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a robber. The one who enters through the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens it for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice. They will not follow a stranger but will run away from him, because they do not recognize the voice of strangers. 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; he will go in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and slaughter and destroy; I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:1–5, 7–10)

In the wilderness, we learned to reject the devil’s temptations; now, we must learn to discern the voice of God. Did you know that sheep are nearsighted? They cannot see far into the distance and cannot rely on sight to find their way. Their survival depends on their hearing. They must “recognize” the shepherd’s voice.

This is a portrait of our relationship with God. In this age of visual overload, we are inundated every day by screens, advertisements, and data. Our “spiritual vision” is often blurred. We cannot see the future clearly; we cannot see the road ahead. At such times, if we insist on “seeing clearly” before we are willing to act, we easily fall into anxiety.

Jesus tells us: do not try to see clearly; try to “hear clearly.” If we do not want the Lord’s word to fall to the ground, we must first admit: I need guidance, and the navigation system is the “Shepherd’s Voice”.

Jesus says, “He calls his own sheep by name”. (John 10:3) This is the key criterion for distinguishing the Divine Voice from worldly noise. Pope Benedict XVI once said that this kind of “knowing” is not intellectual but of the heart—it is a relationship of loving and being loved.

Listen closely. How does the voice of the world—that “thief”—call you? It does not call your name; it calls your “labels.” It shouts: “Consumer! Loser! Not good enough!” The thief’s voice makes you feel being compared and used.

But the voice of the Good Shepherd is different. When God speaks, He calls forth your true identity, and the name you received at Baptism. Even when He corrects you, His voice carries dignity. He says, “My child, my beloved.”

When you hear a voice that makes you feel inferior, panicked, or worthless, stop for a moment. That is not the Shepherd; that is the thief. That is a stranger, and you should, like the sheep, “run away from him.” (John 10:5)

Jesus also says, “I am the gate”. (John 10:9) In daily life, we often allow too many things to enter directly into the pasture of our hearts: unfiltered news, other people’s negative emotions, fears about the future. These “thieves” climb over the wall with the purpose of “stealing” your joy, “killing” your hope, and “destroying” your peace.

When a thought arises, ask it: “Did you come through Jesus?” If the thought is filled with envy, hatred, or despair, it is a robber who climbed over the wall. Drive it out! Only those voices that pass through Jesus—those that bring truth, mercy, and life—should be allowed to enter your heart.

Finally, Jesus promises to give us “life in abundance.” (John 10:10) This is not material prosperity but relational wealth. True abundance is this: even in the valley of death, you feel secure because you recognize the footsteps of the One who leads you.

The Shepherd is walking ahead, and He is calling your name. Do you hear Him?

Let us once again meditate on this verse:

Jesus said, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly.”  (John 10:10)

Reflection

Do you habitually define yourself by worldly labels—for example: I am not successful enough, I am too fat, I am too old? Try to be still in prayer and imagine Jesus looking into your eyes. How would He call your name?

Jesus says the thief comes to “steal and slaughter and destroy.” In your life right now, what is “stealing” the time you spend with your family? What is “killing” your hope for the future? Identify this “thief.”

Have you recently allowed too many “strangers”—such as harmful information or thoughts—to enter your mind freely? What concrete steps can you take to set boundaries, for example: not checking your phone before bed, refusing to engage in gossip, and so on?

Today’s Prayer

Lord Jesus, my loving Good Shepherd, thank You for helping me realize in today’s reflection that the voices of the world are so noisy, like thieves trying to steal my peace and make me forget who I am. Forgive me, for I have often followed the temptations of strangers while turning a deaf ear to Your call.

Today, grant me the “ears of a sheep.” Teach me to discern Your voice—the one that does not accuse or threaten, but is filled with truth and love.

When I am lost in anxiety, please call my name loudly. I want to pass through You, the gate, and enter the abundant pasture You have prepared for me.

I no longer want to be a frightened and helpless sheep. I want to be the beloved child in Your embrace.

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