by Sister Karen M. Cavanagh, C.S.J.
“Girl, every day, you step out on the Word of God.” – Annie Henderson
Maya Angelou, the beloved poet laureate and strong voice for justice, places this directive on the lips of the paternal grandmother she proudly calls “Momma.” She spoke of this lesson many years ago, and happily, it has stayed with me.
I do not open the Bible, read from the Lectionary or pray the psalms without recalling these words.
Today we celebrate the Fourth Sunday of Easter, but we are hearing Pentecost readings. We reflect on God’s Voice, God’s Word, The Voice and the voices of those who believe. We see the once fear-filled Peter standing and proclaiming with raised voice: “God has made both Lord and Christ, this Jesus Who was crucified.” Peter tells us that Jesus is the One, the Way to salvation.
Salvation and Forgiveness
Filled with the Spirit, he promises to all – at that time, now (aren’t we heirs to the promise?) and those still far off – a call to salvation and forgiveness of sin through the Easter waters of Baptism. As with Peter, a new voice and strength were found, so are we promised the same each day we “step out on the Word of God.” So simple but never easy. Just his speaking these words touched and moved those who heard his voice.
In the Gospel, we hear Jesus proclaim in Shepherd imagery that He is the Gate, the Gatekeeper, the Shepherd and the Voice – the One Who provides the direction, the safety and the Way, the One to follow and the Voice to be heard. He also cautions us to be wary of the other voices (thieves and robbers) who try to take charge at the gates of our hearts.
“I have called you by name: you are Mine” (Isaiah 43:1). These words are so often our comfort, our source of hope when we are weary or frightened, our companion when we feel alone. There are times, however, that their sound seems so faint or far off because other voices seek to rob our awareness or lure us away from the path. Often to not pay mind to this warning is to run the risk of the “stranger” becoming the more familiar and the Shepherd becoming the “stranger” in our lives.
Psalm 23, which we pray today, reminds us that the Shepherd’s Voice assures us that our souls will be revived. We will be comforted in our dark moments, and we will be led beside refreshing waters to a feast running over. If we stay close to the Voice of the Shepherd, we’re told that goodness and mercy will be with us both in days of green pastures and in valleys of death’s shadow. Life in abundance is ours.
Just a few short weeks ago, we renewed the promises of our own baptism. In January, Pope Francis suggested we find the date of our own baptism and celebrate it as an important date in our personal histories. On our baptism day, there was a beautiful rite of signing. The priest blessed our ears and our lips saying: “The Lord Jesus made the deaf hear and the mute speak. May He soon open your ears to hear His Word (Voice) and your lips to proclaim His deeds” (be His voice in the world).
Before, Beside and Behind
When we follow in faith and trust God’s ways, we “step out on the Word of God.” We shall not want because Christ walks before, beside and behind us as we follow His Voice.
Today is also the Sunday traditionally set aside to invite us to pray for and consider God’s call to ministry in the Church and for some of us to a specific mission and vocation as religious sisters, religious brothers and priests. This is God’s Voice, and His call runs the risk of being drowned out by louder, more enticing ones. Let us pray this day for the trust to hear and support this Voice within our families, our parish and our own hearts. We can help another or ourselves to “step out on the Word of God.”
The Good Shepherd knows our frailties, our sins and our weaknesses, as well as our sufferings. He knew His disciples well, and He knows us through and through. With tender love, He comes in search of us and lifts us onto strong shoulders, holds us close and carries not only us but also all of our burdens.
In the second reading, Peter reminds us that Christ suffered for us “and bore our sins in His body upon the cross.” By His wounds, we have been healed, for we had “gone astray like sheep” without a shepherd but have now returned to the Shepherd and guardian of our souls.
Fire in His Spirit
Can you imagine the memories and amazing images that flooded Peter’s heart as he gave voice to those words? Can you imagine the thanks and fire in his heart? From where comes this voice, this confidence, this fire in his spirit?
Today’s Scripture readings keep us challenged as we consider the Voice of God. We may not be able to sort it all out, but the message of these Easter weeks invites us to look inside and ask Whose Voice or what voices rule our hearts. It’s not easy, but our hearts are lifted with the final words of today’s readings. We hear Jesus’ Voice assuring us, “I have come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” As brothers and sisters in God’s family, let us “step out on the Word of God.”[hr]
Readings for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
Acts 2: 14a, 36-41
Psalm 23: 1-2a, 3b-4, 5, 6
1 Peter 2: 20b-25
John 10: 1-10[hr]
Sister Karen M. Cavanagh, C.S.J., a trained spiritual director and retreat facilitator, is a pastoral associate/family minister at St. Nicholas of Tolentine parish, Jamaica.
