Sunday, April 17, 2016

'My sheep hear my voice...'

+ RWS 699 April 17, 2016           
Fourth Sunday of Easter

Gospel: John 20: 27-30
Jesus said: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life….

Eternal life
By Bishop Precioso D. Cantillas, SDB, DD

             Eternal life is what Jesus promises and will give to anyone who accepts Him and become His “sheep”. Other great men and leaders promise their would-be followers a happy and prosperous life, here and now. Other religious leaders point to another kind of life after death. It is clear then that the human being, deep within his heart longs for a life that would last forever; one that can satisfy fully his whole being. Whether one is conscious of this or not, he works and spends his energy and strength to possess a life beyond. It is therefore vitally important for us to know and accept the One who can truly give us eternal life and give our life and work to Him.
            It is only Jesus, believed by many to be truly God and truly man, who proclaimed that He is “the way, the truth, and the life “. He invites everyone who wishes to be saved and live forever to believe in Him and follow in His footsteps. Anyone who chooses to follow Jesus must “deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Him”. Following Jesus demands among many things, bearing one’s daily cross. Besides intentionally working not for one’s wellbeing but for that of the others and for the glory of God, the follower of Jesus bears the pains, hardships and difficulties of work and relationships at home and the workplace. Working for others and for God is unacceptable for many; but it is a way of denying oneself as true followers of Jesus.
            While receiving a salary, or any material compensation for doing our work, Jesus’ followers can ‘increase’ the value and can find a greater or higher meaning of their daily work. Or, we can say that Jesus gives a much greater work compensation to those who unite with Him; He rewards our work and the costs we have to pay for it, like the stresses we endure, the physical or mental fatigue we suffer and other work-related loads we bear. The risen Lord, who overcame every human pain and suffering, even death, is the only One with the power to fulfill His promise of eternal life to His faithful followers who live and work with Him and in Him.

Which sheep are you?
By Teresa R. Tunay, OCDS

              In the profession I’m in—media—being considered a “sheep” is not an asset.  Sheep have no mind of their own.  They follow the flock.  They are weak, they can never lead.  They are bred to be led to the slaughterhouse for their meat and their skin.  From that imagery alone you can picture the kind of journalists this animal would make.  Mediocre ones—they would not get scoops, they would always be last in the race, they would be bullied by the wolves, they would be mocked and never earn the respect of their colleagues (who are lions and tigers and wolves).  That’s how the world regards sheep.  But the sheep that Jesus speaks of are different; they are His followers who hear His voice and are led to an endless life of joy with God.
            Is it possible to be this latter kind of sheep and make your mark in media?  Decades of being in this work has taught me that in the pursuit of truth, it is of utmost importance to understand that there are gray areas to be dealt with wisely (as serpents) and innocently (as doves).  I have worked with lions, tigers and wolves that have won awards for being their predatory and competitive selves, but I have also worked alongside a rare breed of the Shepherd’s followers who are veritable sheep in wolves’ clothing.  They make the effort to discreetly hide their faces, assuming the appearance of fierce animals in order to “disappear in the background” while they work to make the Truth shine.   They are the Good Shepherd’s sheep, and because the voice they heed is far beyond the editor’s and the publisher’s, they sometimes appear lost in the marketplace.  It is not awards nor recognition they seek—not even a pat on the head from the Good Shepherd Himself, because for them, doing the will of God is its own reward.