Today at Mass, in the “worship aid” handout, I found this quote from Saint Cyril of Alexandria written in the fifth century A.D..
The mark of Christ’s sheep is their willingness to hear and obey, just as the sign of those who are not his is their disobedience. We take the word ‘hear’ to imply obedience to what is said. People who hear God are known to him. No one is entirely unknown to God, but to be known in this way is to become his kin. Thus when Christ says I know mine, he means “I will receive them, and give them permanent mystical kinship with myself.”
This passage is a prime example of why I consider the Early Church Fathers a treasure of the Church. The teaching is timeless and is applicable today. To “hear” Jesus is not just listening…To hear Jesus is to obey Jesus. Do what Jesus says… an obedient Faith is a saving Faith! Just to pay Jesus lip service is not enough! We should all ask this of ourselves as Christians…Do I truly “hear” Jesus?
Lord, Create in me a loving heart. Help me to know and to do your will. Amen.