Our readings today are about the spoken word and the voice that powers it. It was the hearing of words, spoken in Greek, about Jesus, by already converted Greek Jews, deep in their own territory that led many of them to be converted to Jesus and to the way of life that was springing up emanating from him. Hearing about Jesus in their own native land helped them to feel comfortable enough to trust in the voices they were hearing.
Barnabas went from Jerusalem to Antioch to witness this phenomenon and rejoiced when he saw what the grace of God was doing and he encouraged them all of remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart. Then, he invited Saul of Tarsus to come and join him there in Antioch and to experience what the power of Jesus and his Spirit were all about. They both met with the community at Antioch for a whole year and it was there that the entire group started to be called "Christians" for the first time. Christians were those who "listened to the voice of Jesus" and followed him wherever he went!
In the gospel passage Jesus likens himself to a shepherd whose voice and words are very important to the flock under his care. A shepherd and a flock are basically one unit. The shepherd's greatest tool with the flock is his voice, his words; the greatest comfort for the sheep is the sound of their shepherd's voice. They will follow their own shepherd, but run away from shepherds with strange voices. Jesus reminds us all today, the sheep of his flock, that when they hear his voice and his words, they also hear the voice and words of his Father in heaven, who he also gives to us as our Father! Jesus never stops identifying himself with his Father. When we see Jesus we see the Father, as well.
We are fortunate in our native land today to anticipate the arrival, in a few hours, of the Vicar of Christ for us at this particular time in Catholic Church history,– Pope Benedict XVI. He stands as a direct representation of Jesus, Good Shepherd, and when we hear his voice – even though it may be dressed in a classical Bavarian accent - we ought to find comfort, encouragement and hope! And the same analogy holds true as with Jesus himself – he who looks upon the face of the Holy Father is also looking upon the face of God the Father – absolutely, surely and without a doubt.
Whether we agree or disagree with many of his policies and practices – there is the supreme guarantee that what he says - in the preordained channels of communication originating in God himself and protected by the power of the Holy Spirit – is true and beneficial for the whole Church at this particular time on this particular day. We owe him our respect, loyalty and devotion as we would give it Christ himself.
May all of God's sheep – both those in the fold and those on the fringes – and those who have wandered away – hear the voice of the Holy Father this week – and may something he says or does encourage, strengthen, affirm, heal and even convert any who need these things.
All you nations, praise the Lord! Alleluia!
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