Alleluia John 10:27
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
My sheep hear my voice, says the Lord;
I know them, and they follow me.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Figuratively speaking sheep that follow the guidance of their shepherd are often perceived to be dumb, or very wise having learnt from experience that their shepherd treats them with the respect lavished on a much loved child in need of nurturing until their day is done.
Predictably we hear what we want to hear, turning a deaf ear to that persistent whisper pleading with us to do all that He asks, especially so when placing another's needs before our own. Self sacrifice means much more than dropping a copper coin in a collecting box for the poor, for there is the thought that the impoverished person is facing us when we gaze into our bathroom mirror each morning we rise, to face another day filled with the pretence that we are living our life to the fullest; especially when that BMW is waiting in the driveway witnessing our success story as if to say, I did it my way.
It is when we come to terms with our sense of nothingness, in the face of the divine mystery, that we begin to start the journey of our life time being led by that which is beyond our understanding, yet present in our life speaking to us of His eternal love for all that we are; Our Father's children in need of His embrace, and tender loving care.
Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, gThis is the road! Now follow it.h ~ Isaiah 30:21
Our flesh, or mortal self instinctively prioritises our self interest, before that of others. Being led down a cul de sac filled with addictions that speak to our indulgence for baubles, and bangles also opens a door into a world where reality bangs on our door with offerings to ease our pain, and suffering with more of the same.
Accumulating knowledge is a form of avarice and lends itself to another version of the Midas story ...man [is] so avid for knowledge that everything that he touches turns to facts; his faith becomes theology; his love becomes lechery; his wisdom becomes science; pursuing meaning, he ignores truth.~ Malcolm Muggeridge
The divine mystery invites us to follow His guidance, thereby ensuring that in yielding our self into His care, our life becomes the outreach of Our Father's presence in the lives of those who by design enter our journey of self discovery to provide us with a purpose, never lost on those who are gladly led by The Good Shepherd.
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand. ~ John 10:27-29
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