"The voice of Jesus is unique!"

Ave Maria! Yesterday, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, we heard at Mass the Gospel of the Good Shepherd: "My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one." (John 10:27-30)

"These four verses contain Jesus’ entire message, the core of His Gospel," Pope Francis stated in his Regina Caeli message of yesterday, adding, "He calls us to participate in His relationship with the Father, and this is eternal life."

The Holy Father then reflected upon this relationship to which our Lord so lovingly invites us. "Jesus wants to establish a relationship with his friends that is a reflection of His relationship with the Father, a relationship of mutual belonging in full trust, in intimate communion. To express this deep understanding, this relationship of friendship, Jesus uses the image of the shepherd with his sheep: he calls them, and they know his voice, they respond to his call and follow him. How beautiful this parable is! The mystery of the voice is suggestive: from our mother's womb we learn to recognize her voice and that of our father, from the tone of a voice we perceive love or disdain, affection or coldness. The voice of Jesus is unique! If we learn to distinguish it, He guides us on the path of life, a path that goes beyond the abyss of death."

In closing, the Holy Father called upon Mary, Mother of Christ our Lord, the woman who said 'yes.' "Mary said 'yes,' all her life! She has learned to recognize the voice of Jesus since she bore him in her womb. Mary, Our Mother, help us to know better the voice of Jesus and follow it, to walk the path of life!"

Dear friends, Jesus our Good Shepherd is calling us here and now. How blessed we are to hear His unique voice. And how blessed we will be if we follow Him. Alleluia!