During my Ordination Mass, I looked straight ahead to a beautiful window of the Good Shepherd. You can probably imagine the impact this had on me and my thoughts in those moments immediately before being ordained into that very image and priesthood of Christ (Some recall that I was also assigned as a Deacon to Good Shepherd in Smithville). The 4th Sunday of Easter is often called Good Shepherd Sunday (the preceding Sunday in the Traditional Calendar). This week, these images lead me to thoughts about the sheep; about those who follow the Good Shepherd.
Our Lord tells us quite plainly, “He walks ahead of them, and the sheep follow him, because they recognize his voice.” If we think about a flock of sheep, they do not wonder about where they are going to be the next day or a week later. We cannot imagine sheep asking, or even thinking, “Why is he leading us up this hill? How is that going to get me to the pasture to the south where the tasty grass is? What is his plans for making sure we have enough to drink? The sheep follow the Shepherd because they know that He leads them to green pastures, and as we hear in the psalm, even though they may be led through the dark valley, there is nothing to fear because they follow the Good Shepherd. The question for the sheep and the flock is not about tomorrow or the next stop of the journey, nor trying to figure out what the final destination is, but “Where is the Shepherd now? Is this his voice that is calling me?” This is discernment.
If there is a foundational principle to discernment, it is faith in the voice of the Good Shepherd, confidence that He desires what is good and perfect for all the sheep who have been given into His care, and that He is vigilant in every moment, never abandoning His sheep. Discernment is not simply about the big questions in life and vocation, although those follow the same rules. Follow the Good Shepherd and where He leads, and He will lead you to where He wants you to be.
Discernment is always in the present. Even if it is about saving for a downpayment on a house or for retirement, He calls in this moment for you to save money and be financially prudent. He guides us this day to this hill, and tomorrow to another, and on another day to certain spring waters. The Grace and gift is that we don’t have to figure out what it will all lead up to. He does all of this figuring and planning for us. Concentrate on His voice in this moment and this day and if you are close to Him, is there really any place that will be better?