HE IS OUR SHEPHERD

He Is Our Shepherd

He is our shepherd, and the sheep know his voice. If we are his sheep, we shall hear it, recognise it, and obey it. Let us beware of not following when he goes before: 'He goes before, and his sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Let us beware of receiving his grace in vain. When God called Samuel, he answered, "Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth." When Christ called St Paul, he 'was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.' Let us desire to know his voice: let us pray for the gift of watchful ears and a willing heart. He does not call all men in one way; he calls us each in his own way. To St Peter he said, "Follow thou me;" of St John, "If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?" Nor is it always easy to know his voice. St John knew it, and said, "It is the Lord" before St Peter. Samuel did not know it till Eli told him. St Paul asked, "Who art thou, Lord?" We are bid, 'try the spirits, whether they be of God.' But whatever difficulty there be in knowing when Christ calls, and whither, yet at least let us look out for his call. Let us not be content with ourselves: let us not make our own hearts our home, or this world our home, or our friends our home; let us look out for him who alone can guide us to that better country; let us call heaven our home, and this life a pilgrimage; let us view ourselves, as sheep in the trackless desert, who, unless they follow the shepherd, will be sure to lose themselves, sure to fall in with the wolf. We are safe while we keep close to him, and under his eye.

l.H Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons, VIII. 16;