Do we hear and follow? Before we can welcome Jesus as the Good Shepherd, we have to hear his voice. God’s voice breaks into the dialogue of our lives in myriad ways, but we have to be attentive and receptive in order to hear it. It comes through the beauty of creation, the warmth and energy of love, the gift of compassion both received and given, the sacred miracle of life, and the orderly and purposeful design of things and in the truth found in God’s commandments. Once we see the wisdom behind the commandments and teachings God places before us and are attentive to listening for His direction, we can begin to take the necessary steps and follow Him. We are easily misled and there are many convincing “shepherds.” Only one is Good. It is only the Good Shepherd who can lead us away from the evils that can hurt us and bring us to the good. We may not always like where God asks us to go, and it may not be the path others prefer to take. But we have to follow it because we trust that our kind Shepherd will keep us safe.