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Hearing Voices by Msgr. William Biebel
“HEARING VOICES” by Msgr. William Biebel
Jesus said, “I am the Good Shepherd
and I know mine and mine know me. I lay my life down for my sheep. I
have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. These also I must
lead, and they will hear my voice.”
Have
you ever heard your own voice recorded? Does it sound like you?
Probably not, because you are your voice…it is part of your person. But
your voice is important to others who love you. A Dad recently told me
that when his two children went off to college he gave them both lap
top computers so they could keep in touch by email, but when they
emailed or texted their parents, something was missing. It was the
sound of their voices. No matter how long the email or text message, he
discovered that thirty seconds of his son’s or daughter’s voice told
him the real truth about how they really were.
Our voices are us. Some time ago an old family tape recording,
made during the 1940s was recovered and given to me and other cousins.
As old as the tape was, and despite its poor recording, it was a thrill
to hear my mother’s voice and those of her sisters. It was like having
them close again after sixty years.
Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. Even today, sheep in a group and particularly those left alone are vulnerable. They depend on a voice they know to lead them, protect them and care for them. Jesus knew well how much the Father loves us. That was the reason He was here with us. When He loves us, it is the way He loves His Father. Jesus loves because the Father loves. That is a truth that we can carry in our hearts, knowing that we are cared for, nourished, and loved. Before He left this earth, and His voice was no longer heard by human ears, He told His apostles and disciples, “Whoever hears you, hears me.”
How can we hear the voice of Jesus today? How can we hear His voice above the din and noise of the shouting cultural messages? There are so many other voices in our ears and minds, can we be still and hear the voice of our hearts?
Jesus says, “I know mine and mine know me:. He is telling us He know our innermost thoughts, all the emotion and movements of our hearts. How can we hear His voice with all the competing voices that tell us how to live, how to find happiness, security and the good life? First, we hear His voice by quieting down and being still in prayer—listening. Not for a minute, but real presence with God, hearing the silence of our hearts. He doesn’t text us or email us, but we do have His word in Holy Scripture given us by His holy Spirit in the Church. His voice is there.
Today, particularly in American culture, we are told to be individuals, to be independent, to be free and we don’t want anyone else involved in how we believe, or in what we believe, or what we should do morally. But…to follow Christ and to surrender our lives and live in community with our fellow human beings. We need community, family, relationships. We need to be still and listen to the voices of those whose care we are entrusted with and those who are entrusted with our care. The “other” voices of advertising, culture, our own ego calling, those voices are in our ears all the time, but what about His voice calling us?
It takes time, prayer, and loving listening to be in tune with the voice of Jesus. Jesus is telling us that He will be calling with the same voice, and when we being to follow, He will keep on speaking. The truth is often a whisper that we must be attentive to and listen carefully. We are each special, we are each individuals, we want out privacy, our space, but we must remember that we are like the sheep and lambs Jesus cares for: we are at risk, we are endangered…our spirits, our souls, our very selves are in need of care, of nourishment and love that comes from God Himself.
Whether we are learned or just children at heart, whether we are professionals, or rookies, we need the Good Shepherd’s voice to guide us, to make us confident and lead us home. Hearing the voice of Jesus and what He means to us and our lives always goes back to this: God love us…as a people, a Church and as ourselves. God is looking for us. God invites us to trust Him. God is always offering us His friendship and wants us to be His friends. God’s friendship does not depend on our worth or significance, but only on His great love and desire for us. There is no voice as loving and wonderful as the Good Shepherd’s. He is there calling to us and it is in following His voice that we are lead safely home to a place of love, peace and beauty.
Jesus calls Himself the Good Shepherd. Even today, sheep in a group and particularly those left alone are vulnerable. They depend on a voice they know to lead them, protect them and care for them. Jesus knew well how much the Father loves us. That was the reason He was here with us. When He loves us, it is the way He loves His Father. Jesus loves because the Father loves. That is a truth that we can carry in our hearts, knowing that we are cared for, nourished, and loved. Before He left this earth, and His voice was no longer heard by human ears, He told His apostles and disciples, “Whoever hears you, hears me.”
How can we hear the voice of Jesus today? How can we hear His voice above the din and noise of the shouting cultural messages? There are so many other voices in our ears and minds, can we be still and hear the voice of our hearts?
Jesus says, “I know mine and mine know me:. He is telling us He know our innermost thoughts, all the emotion and movements of our hearts. How can we hear His voice with all the competing voices that tell us how to live, how to find happiness, security and the good life? First, we hear His voice by quieting down and being still in prayer—listening. Not for a minute, but real presence with God, hearing the silence of our hearts. He doesn’t text us or email us, but we do have His word in Holy Scripture given us by His holy Spirit in the Church. His voice is there.
Today, particularly in American culture, we are told to be individuals, to be independent, to be free and we don’t want anyone else involved in how we believe, or in what we believe, or what we should do morally. But…to follow Christ and to surrender our lives and live in community with our fellow human beings. We need community, family, relationships. We need to be still and listen to the voices of those whose care we are entrusted with and those who are entrusted with our care. The “other” voices of advertising, culture, our own ego calling, those voices are in our ears all the time, but what about His voice calling us?
It takes time, prayer, and loving listening to be in tune with the voice of Jesus. Jesus is telling us that He will be calling with the same voice, and when we being to follow, He will keep on speaking. The truth is often a whisper that we must be attentive to and listen carefully. We are each special, we are each individuals, we want out privacy, our space, but we must remember that we are like the sheep and lambs Jesus cares for: we are at risk, we are endangered…our spirits, our souls, our very selves are in need of care, of nourishment and love that comes from God Himself.
Whether we are learned or just children at heart, whether we are professionals, or rookies, we need the Good Shepherd’s voice to guide us, to make us confident and lead us home. Hearing the voice of Jesus and what He means to us and our lives always goes back to this: God love us…as a people, a Church and as ourselves. God is looking for us. God invites us to trust Him. God is always offering us His friendship and wants us to be His friends. God’s friendship does not depend on our worth or significance, but only on His great love and desire for us. There is no voice as loving and wonderful as the Good Shepherd’s. He is there calling to us and it is in following His voice that we are lead safely home to a place of love, peace and beauty.
Posted by Debra Classen at 6/4/2009 12:19 PM 
Categories: Reflections
Tags: William Biebel Hearing Voices
Categories: Reflections
Tags: William Biebel Hearing Voices
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