VOICES?
DOES ANYONE HEAR YOU?

INTRODUCTION

The title of my homily is, “Voices? Does Anyone Hear You?”

I read today’s readings, said a few prayers and did a little wondering: my usual way of preparing for a homily.

What do the readings say? What do people need? What’s going on?

All three readings talk about sheep and shepherds – and today is called, “Good Shepherd Sunday.”

We’re supposed to push vocations this weekend – at the Masses.

Is there anyone here interested in being a shepherd? Would you ask your son or daughter if they have ever given any thought about being a Sister or a Brother or a Priest? It would mean giving one’s life for others – like parents and teachers and so many others do – but in this case not being married – not having kids?

We might have heard last week on the news about the Navy Seal – Michael Monsoor, 25, from Garden Grove, California. His mom and dad – received the Medal of Honor for their son from the president of the United States. President Bush – everyone - was crying. Michael Monsoor was on a roof in Ramadi – west of Baghdad. He was hit by a grenade that came out of nowhere. It bounced off him to the ground. The reports said he could have escaped. He had a moment to make a decision. He fell on that grenade and saved the lives of 2 other Seals and some Iraqi troops who were on a mission together. They could not have escaped.

Would any one of us do that? Was that question tossed like a grenade to some kids in a religion class years and years ago and this young man heard the question?

Did he hear in class or church the words, “Greater love than this no one has, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Did he hear someone voice those words of Jesus and they came back to him that moment? (Cf. John 15:13.)

Was it part of his training – and he heard the message?

Does anyone hear what others say?

I read the readings again. This second time I noticed the word “voice” in both the first reading and the gospel. In the first reading Peter stood up, raised his voice, and proclaimed Jesus. And in today’s gospel, Jesus talks about the sheep knowing the shepherd’s voice.

With that I began thinking about voices.

Do we hear the Shepherd’s voice? Do we know the Shepherd’s voice?

You know how we get a phone call and we immediately know who the person is without even looking at the number if it’s on the phone – or we hear the voice and we say, “I know this voice.”

Do we know Jesus’ voice and does he know our voice?

I began thinking along those lines.

Voices – listening – hearing.

POPE BENEDICT

Then while checking out the story about Michael Monsoor, I noticed on the Internet last night – quite by chance – a headline – something about Pope Benedict coming to the United States. It was a series of interviews with the headline: “In 5 cities, Roman Catholics were recently asked about what they would like to hear from Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to the United States.”

It was done by The New York Times and the different people interviewed have their picture there – their age – and where they live: Chicago, Tucson, Boston, Washington DC, Daly City, California.

The folks they interviewed were from across the board – age, ethnic background, male, female, this, that – but all Catholics.

The New York Times listened to the voices of all these people – taped them. They took the time to give a whole range of thoughts and opinions, suggestions and hopes to anyone who wants to listen to them.

If you want to listen to them, type in Google, “Catholic Voices, Catholic Views – The New York Times, April 13, 2008.” I don’t know how to connect this to my blog – where I put my Sunday sermons each week – but this should lead you to their site. [To get into my blog, just go to the St. Mary’s Annapolis web site and go from there. ]

Listen to what folks are saying. Hear their voices.

As I listened to them, I began to think, “What are the hopes and needs of the people here in this parish and this area?”

Does anyone hear your voice?

Does anyone hear the voices of those who are Catholic and don’t come to Mass any more?

If you were interviewed, what would you say? What issues hit you? What would you want the Pope to address while he is here this week in the United States? In Washington? At the United Nations?

I jotted down 10 pages of comments by these folks in The New York Times interviews.

Folks would like the pope to address the War. Young people. The priest abuse horror. Immigrants. The timelessness of Catholicism. Change. Don’t change. Not cutting out those who are gay. The importance of tradition. Latin. Joy. Hope. Peace. Jesus.

They talked about our churches being welcoming churches – filled with hospitality. Women priests. Married priests. Helping the homeless. Human rights. Closing churches. Lapsed Catholics. Being more inclusive. Reinforcing faith. Gangs. Violence. Catholic schools. Money. The environment. Thinking globally.

Some compared Benedict with John Paul II – and their differences.

I WONDER WHAT HE’LL SAY

I wonder what the Pope will say. Does he sit down and ask for opinions and suggestions? What voices does he listen to? Does anyone listen to him? I don’t mean public speeches or writings or pronouncements. I mean gut stuff. Who listens to him? Whom does he listen to?

I wonder what would it be like for him to come over here to the United States or any country and just listen: no speeches – no pronouncements – just listen to us – just listen to the voices of our world.

Does anyone do that? Did Jesus do that?

LISTENING TO ONESELF

To be practical, I think the first step is to listen to oneself. What are my voices? Joys? Sorrows? Complaints? Concerns? Hopes? Fears? Needs? Struggles? What do I want from life? From my Church?

I remember hearing a nun, Sister Maureen McCann, a Mercy Sister from Dallas, Pennsylvania, once talk about the importance of listening to oneself. She said we’re like a radio – with all these stations. She said pick one station. Get it exact. Then turn up the volume. Listen carefully to what you are talking about inside your radio studio today – right now.

Maybe some of you are saying, “Shut up already. You’re repeating yourself. All you priests are repeating yourself.” Maybe some of you are saying, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Maybe some of you are talking to yourself about your mom who is in a nursing home – and you feel guilty – you’re so far away – and your sister is stuck with all the caring and the visiting. Maybe you’re talking to yourself about one of your kids. You’re worried about her. Whatever it is, jot it down. Clarify it. Face the music. Listen to yourself.

TALKING AND LISTENING TO EACH OTHER

Next articulate your inner voices with the key people in your life.

After breaking the ice, listen to those whom you should be talking and listening to. Hear their voices – what they are joyful and sorrowful about. Listen!

Here’s a poem by Vickie Erikson. I noticed it in a magazine in the 1970’s – and I’ve read it over and over and over again – because it reminds as priest to shut up and listen to others. I don't know if it has a title or if this is just an excerpt.

Sacrificed on the altar of human unconcern,
lie many spoken words
and fragments of the mind.
So loud the world, so soft am I,
small are the impressions
made in this vastness.

Yet,
How wonderful these people,

To be unknown, and know so many,
only so much to give – yet so
much is untaken.

Who shall see my tears
in the pouring rain?
Who shall hear my sigh
in the thunder?

CONCLUSION

Back to the gospel for today. Talk to and listen to Jesus. He says very powerfully, “I am the gate.” Picture a sheep pen. Picture the Gate. Picture the Shepherd. See Jesus as Gate. See Jesus as your shepherd – who is leading you through life. Make today’s Psalm – Psalm 23 – "The Lord is My Shepherd"- your psalm – because you know his voice. He’ll lead you to green pastures. He’ll lead to restful waters. He’ll guide you through dark valleys. He spreads this table before you every Sunday – and he’ll help your legacy to be: “Only goodness and kindness will follow you all the days of your life.” Amen.