The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
A few weeks ago, I ended up on a video of two mothers who wanted to challenge their little sons to a game. The mothers were a set of twin sisters. They put on their makeup identically, did their hair the same way, put on the same clothing and the mothers even put on the same perfume. The goal for the moms was to confuse their little kids into not knowing who their mom was.
While watching the video, I couldn't tell the twin moms apart. They brought the kids out and asked them, “Who's your mommy?” And in every single attempt, the kids picked their correct mom. Unsatisfied at their attempt to stump their kids, the moms brought out their older children. Just like before, and without hesitation, the older kids picked their correct mothers. As everyone was hugging and laughing the older daughter said, “Your voice gave it away.” It wasn’t the makeup, hair, smell, or clothing that gave the kids their answer, it was just the mother's voice. And each child knew exactly who their mom was because of it.
I didn’t know the two mothers. I was just a stranger to them. Likewise, today's Gospel talks about sheep and their shepherd. The sheep know the voice of their shepherd “because they recognize his voice.” The gospel continues by saying, “They will not follow a stranger … because they do not recognize the voice of strangers.” Obviously, I wouldn't know the difference between the two mothers by their voices; I don’t know them. However, I find myself in the same situation when I am trying to listen to God in my prayer. I feel that in times of laziness, negligence, or even busyness, I, too, become a stranger to God. This is not anything God does; He doesn't choose this — rather, I am the one at fault. I fail to run after Him at times.
But perhaps this Gospel is not about what I do, but it's about what God is doing. Jesus is the shepherd. Jesus is the gate. He is with us in all circumstances. Maybe it's about sitting down and listening to what God is doing. What better way to listen to God than to read what He is saying? Reread today's gospel, listen to what God is saying to you, and go follow Him. He’s waiting to give you life, and life more abundantly.
Jacob Bentzinger hails from the City of Oz and has been working behind the camera commercially since 2016 and has been shooting for the Church since 2018. Jacob spends most of his time behind a camera or next to a cup of coffee...But not just any coffee — an iced americano. You can find him on Instagram or check out his website.