By Jonathan Camiolo

 

I don’t have any sheep, I don’t live on a farm, and I don’t know anything about it, but a year and half ago I bought a puppy – a golden retriever.  She is a bundle of energy and excitement, thrilled to see me whenever I enter the house.  She is not only that way for me, but also anyone that comes by to visit.  She is a very happy and loving dog.  It has been a wonderful experience.  

 

There are moments that she gets into some trouble.  She might try to sneak your food off your plate, eat some socks, or wander off in the park.  She has a habit of jumping on people because she gets so excited to see them.  We have been working on overall discipline and she has improved so much.  The key has been consistency, but more than anything, she needs to hear my voice.  Other people try to get her to obey and she responds if she is in the mood it seems.  When she hears my voice, she stops and waits for what I am going to say and the tone of my voice.  My voice seems to elicit a faster response that keeps her safe and more disciplined.

 

One day, she was having fun in the back yard just running and playing with my friend.  The dog saw something out on the street that caught her attention.  Usually she ignores the temptation to bolt, but for some reason that morning she decided to go.  She darted down the side yard to the house and almost into the street, and did not pay any attention the voice of my friend until it became a scream.  On the other hand, when she begins to go anywhere she shouldn’t when I am around, at the sound of my voice she stops and comes back.  It gives her guidance and protects her from harm.  She is more sure of what she is supposed to do when she hears me, and she is able to be free from the leash that other have to use at times.  

 

The Gospel this week talks about Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  It says, “I am the good shepherd,
and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father;
 and I will lay down my life for the sheep.  
I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold.  These also I must lead, and they will hear my voice, and there will be one flock, one shepherd.”  We are Jesus’ sheep, and He is our shepherd.  There are a lot of voices in the world trying to tell us what to do, but we need to listen to our Shepherd.  He will guide us and lead us on the right way, to a full life.  We need to listen for it.  We need to create time to be quiet enough to hear it.  We need to spend time with Him at liturgy and in prayer so we can recognize His voice more quickly.  We will be more responsive, safer and more confident.  Take some time this week to listen to the Shepherd’s voice.

 

HAPPY EASTER STILL!!!  4 weeks of celebration left!!!  JESUS IS RISEN!!!  Change your habits, change your life.  Help someone change their habits, you will help them change their life!