Fourth Sunday of Easter - Acts 2:14a, 36-41; 1 Pt 2:20b-25; Jn 10:1-10

04-26-2026Weekly ReflectionThe Faithful Disciple

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on our willingness to hear the voice of the Lord, especially when he speaks a word that will convict our hearts. In the first reading, Peter stands up and proclaims Christ crucified and risen, and some three thousand people who heard this were “cut to the heart” and were baptized. Peter’s message was not an easy one to hear; he was, in part, reminding them that they had put Jesus to death. But something about Peter’s words made it clear that he was speaking the truth. And they repented.

They recognized, as we hear in our second reading, that they “had gone astray like sheep” but now they “have returned to the shepherd and guardian of [their] souls.” As we seek to grow in discipleship, may we learn to recognize the Lord’s voice in our lives, especially when he speaks a word that convicts our hearts, because it is only through him that we find abundant life.

Our Gospel tells us that the sheep recognize the shepherd’s voice. We “sheep” who know the Lord have the awesome task of helping others to come to know his voice. One of the most powerful tools we have at our disposal in the work of evangelizing is simply sharing about our own walk with the Lord. Take some time to talk with someone about the ways you recognize the Lord’s voice in your life. Those for whom a relationship with God seems far-fetched or difficult can draw great encouragement from hearing about what that relationship looks like in your own life. Often, our own sharing can make it clear that it is possible to hear and communicate with God in a personal and life-changing way, leading them to seek that in their own life.

REFLECT: St. Ignatius of Loyola outlined several rules for the “discernment of spirits,” a way of recognizing God’s movement in our hearts. A simple summary of the rules says that when we stray from the Lord, the Spirit convicts our hearts, drawing us to repentance. When we are moving toward the Lord, the Spirit encourages our growth toward holiness by gifts of his peace and consolation. Spend some time reflecting on this current phase of your spiritual life. How is the voice of the Good Shepherd speaking to draw you toward his abundant life?