"My sheep hear my voice."
Following Christ amid the noise of the world.
Greetings!
Some of you might remember that last year, I tried posting brief Scripture reflections on a separate Substack called Duc in Altum. But I decided after a while to close that project.
I still want to practice the craft of writing spiritual reflections, so I’m going to begin again in a new section of Pageturning. I have no set schedule for these reflections. At first I thought of doing them daily or weekly, but with how unpredictable things are right now in my work and home life, I think it would be best to simply post these meditations whenever inspiration strikes.
Please don’t hesitate to leave feedback in the comments. I wouldn’t presume to call myself a “spiritual writer.” These are just my own personal thoughts and reflections that I sometimes feel compelled to commit to paper. I hope you find them helpful.
God bless!
My sheep hear my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish.
— John 10:27-28
There are so many competing voices in our world — enticing, entreating, cajoling, shouting, shaming — that the cacophony of it can leave me disoriented and confused. There are so many paths, following so many voices, that all seem equally “practical” or “exciting” or “fulfilling.” But this whirlwind of “opportunities” leaves me spinning in circles, completely at a loss.
But the voice of the Christ, Good Shepherd, is the “still small voice” (cf. 1 Kings 19:12) whose insistent invitation somehow makes itself heard amid the din and racket of the world for us poor wayward sheep who have “ears to hear” (cf. Matthew 11:15).
Perhaps, we recognize his voice because Christ is the Shepherd who is also a Sheep — The Lamb of God — who takes away our sins and gives us eternal life so that we “shall never perish.”
It took me so long to begin listening — and I mean really listening — for the voice of the Good Shepherd. I spent a lot of time as a lost sheep, wandering the hills and valleys in search of pasture that other voices said would satisfy me, but that turned out to be bare of grass or rank with weeds and thistles. In place of fulfillment and purpose, there was only sorrow and frustration.
The voices of the world still often echo in my ears, but when I am silent and still, the small voice of the Good Shepherd comes through loud and clear. I try my best to follow him, toward that green pasture which “refreshes my soul” (cf. Psalm 23:3)
Find the daily Scripture readings here: https://bible.usccb.org/daily-bible-reading