The Shepherd's Voice
05/05/09 04:40 Filed in: Faith
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. . .” (John 10: 22-30)
Amid all the background noise of contemporary society, it’s hard to hear ourselves think, much less hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. That’s why we have to set aside at least ten minutes a day for prayer and meditation so that we don’t wander off on our own and lose our way.
Amid all the background noise of contemporary society, it’s hard to hear ourselves think, much less hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. That’s why we have to set aside at least ten minutes a day for prayer and meditation so that we don’t wander off on our own and lose our way.
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. . .” (John 10: 22-30)
On a tour of Rome, a local priest visited a church built in 1200 where the Italian guide pointed to a fresco on the wall behind the altar.
“That image of the crucifixion,” the guide said, “is the oldest one in any church in Rome.”
Perplexed, the priest asked, “Surely the crucifix appeared on the altar of many churches built before the year 1200?”
Actually, the tour guide explained, during the first century, when the church was being persecuted, Christians did not need to be reminded of the price of discipleship. Instead of a crucifix, many underground churches were adorned with pictures of the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb on His broad shoulders. The symbol of the Good Shepherd reminded the faithful that Jesus was always ready to help them shoulder their burdens. It was only after the church became widely accepted that the crucifix came into prominence as a symbol of the faith.
Today, the symbolism of the Good Shepherd can still be traced to the way in which ancient shepherds tended their flocks. Each morning, the shepherd would lead his flock out of the fold, walking in front of them so as to be the first to confront danger and ward it off with his staff or sling shot. The sheep responded to the sound of the shepherd's voice and ambled behind Him, staying close to their protector. Occasionally, a lamb would wander off and have to be called back.
In our pop culture, many voices compete for our attention. According to one study, Americans devote more time to media than to any other activity, including sleep. Much of our day is spent in sensory overload. We listen to our I-Pods while reading. We watch television while skimming through a magazine. We browse the Internet while opening our e-mail.
We have more media choices but less time to ourselves - - amid all the background noise it’s hard to hear ourselves think, much less hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. That’s why we have to set aside at least ten minutes a day for prayer and meditation so that we don’t wander off on our own and lose our way.
On a tour of Rome, a local priest visited a church built in 1200 where the Italian guide pointed to a fresco on the wall behind the altar.
“That image of the crucifixion,” the guide said, “is the oldest one in any church in Rome.”
Perplexed, the priest asked, “Surely the crucifix appeared on the altar of many churches built before the year 1200?”
Actually, the tour guide explained, during the first century, when the church was being persecuted, Christians did not need to be reminded of the price of discipleship. Instead of a crucifix, many underground churches were adorned with pictures of the Good Shepherd carrying a lamb on His broad shoulders. The symbol of the Good Shepherd reminded the faithful that Jesus was always ready to help them shoulder their burdens. It was only after the church became widely accepted that the crucifix came into prominence as a symbol of the faith.
Today, the symbolism of the Good Shepherd can still be traced to the way in which ancient shepherds tended their flocks. Each morning, the shepherd would lead his flock out of the fold, walking in front of them so as to be the first to confront danger and ward it off with his staff or sling shot. The sheep responded to the sound of the shepherd's voice and ambled behind Him, staying close to their protector. Occasionally, a lamb would wander off and have to be called back.
In our pop culture, many voices compete for our attention. According to one study, Americans devote more time to media than to any other activity, including sleep. Much of our day is spent in sensory overload. We listen to our I-Pods while reading. We watch television while skimming through a magazine. We browse the Internet while opening our e-mail.
We have more media choices but less time to ourselves - - amid all the background noise it’s hard to hear ourselves think, much less hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. That’s why we have to set aside at least ten minutes a day for prayer and meditation so that we don’t wander off on our own and lose our way.
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