Breaking Open the Word (Youth) - 4th Sunday of Easter
“The sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out.”
John 10:3
» Readings: https://universalis.com/Asia.Singapore/20260426/mass.htmWhat’s happening
Jesus describes a relationship between a shepherd and his sheep. They hear his voice, they recognise it, and they follow.
It sounds simple, but it is not automatic. In the Gospel, not everyone who hears Jesus, chooses to follow Him. Some question Him, some resist Him, and others walk away.
The difference is not in whether they hear, but in how they respond.
Even here, people hear the same voice but respond differently. Some follow, while others choose not to.
What it means to me
We often assume that we are fully in control of our decisions, that we think things through and choose freely. But if we are honest, much of what shapes us comes from the voices we listen to over time.
Expectations from family, the need to be accepted, the pressure to succeed, the fear of missing out. These things do not just influence us occasionally. They form a kind of background noise that slowly directs our choices.
The challenge is that these voices are not always wrong. In fact, they can sound reasonable, even good. That is why they are easy to follow without really noticing.
Jesus does not enter that space by overpowering everything else. He does not demand attention or force a response. Instead, He speaks, and then leaves room for us to choose.
To follow Him, then, is not just about belief. It is about being intentional, learning to recognise His voice among many others, and choosing it, even when it is quieter or less immediate.
That choice rarely comes as one big decision. It is usually made in small, almost unnoticed moments—how we respond, what we prioritise, what we allow to shape us.
Today
Pay attention to one situation you find yourself in today, especially one where you feel pulled in different directions.
Take a moment to notice what is influencing you. What are the different voices at play? What are they asking of you?
Take the time to pause, and choose intentionally.
Which of these leads you towards what is true, what is right, what is life-giving?
Prayer
Jesus, there are many voices shaping my thoughts and decisions, and I do not always notice which ones I am following.
Help me to become more aware of what is influencing me. Teach me to recognise Your voice, not just in big moments, but in the ordinary choices I make each day.
Give me the clarity to choose what is good, and the courage to follow through.
Lord, we also pray for our Level 10 teens receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation this weekend.
As they are strengthened by the Holy Spirit, help them to listen more deeply for Your voice in their lives. In moments of pressure, uncertainty, or doubt, give them the courage to choose what is true and good.
May Your Spirit guide them, stay close to them, and lead them in the path You are calling them to follow. Amen.
