Article:

Frank Tassone resigned his position as a director of FMI some years ago to pursue a calling to the permanent diaconate. Although he no longer excerises a public ministry he is still a Catholic Evangelist. His articles remain on this site because they are valid and inspiring.

Art by Eddie Russell FMI (C) Copyright All Rights Reserved

Look who's talking. By Catholic Evangelist, Frank Tassone How can you hear God's voice? This is an interesting question, especially in these days where many voices are being heard and listened to. How can we distinguish between the voice of God, the voice of the world and the voice of the false shepherds, false prophets and wolves in sheep's clothing? I remember sitting in my parents lounge room one day when my mother called to me. It dawned on me, that without seeing her, I clearly recognised her voice. I could do this because I have a deep personal relationship with my Mother.

Because I have known her since my birth and lived in the same house all my life where she fed me, clothed me, affirmed me, reprimanded me and loved me, I had become familiar with everything about her. I could recognise her bodily postures from a distance. Those signals would communicate to me what she was doing or thinking at any given time: I knew the nature and character of my Mother.

In John 10: 1-18, Jesus refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd. He recognises and knows His own and His own recognise and know Him. He is making a clear definition between the true shepherd and a false shepherd. In John Chapter 15 Jesus reinforces the point, referring to Himself as the "true vine." By doing so he shows that there is also a "false vine". He goes to great lengths to differentiate between the false and the true. When false shepherds see danger, they will leave the flock to be destroyed and take care of themselves. They do not serve for love but for self gratification.

It is important to understand the difference. It will help us to recognise who God really is, and protect us from the babble of false teachers and false prophets. I could recognise my mother because I had a close personal relationship. I spent time with her, spoke to her and listened to her, and we shared things together in ways that no other could possibly know nor understand. It was a totally unique relationship. Even when I was at my worst, she still loved me no matter what. This familiarity of love built security and fidelity which will last all the days of my life.

Jesus calls us into His personal love triangle.

When we look at the life of Jesus, we discover His relationship with God. Jesus reveals that relationship to us and calls us to become intimately involved in His personal love triangle with His Father and the Holy Spirit. Jesus offers a new birth. Not one that comes through the flesh in the natural order, but one that comes through the Spirit in the supernatural order.

We become born of God by His Spirit and are drawn into that supernatural personal relationship which Jesus has with His Father in heaven. It is only possible by confessing that Jesus is the Son of God. This brings us into God's home and God comes into ours: "Anyone who confesses (acknowledge, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and He (abides, lives, makes His home) in God" (1 John 4: 6, AMP). The Spanish have a beautiful saying that expresses this; "Mi casa Tu casa" - "My house is your house.". It is the thief who comes to steal, slaughter and destroy. He is the hireling, the wolf and the false shepherd. His attacks are at the heart of good relationships.

Marriages today are not lasting as long as previous generations.

Statistics show that one in three marriages end in divorce. This has devastating effects on children no matter how much the Media, Hollywood, TV Sitcoms, Politicians, Psychiatrists or Counsellors try to convince us otherwise. The voice of the false shepherds have access to all these methods of communication.

As a wolf in sheep's clothing, the false shepherds slowly convince their victims that marriage for example is a duality. True Shepherd teaches that it is a Unity. The "Bill of Rights for Children" seems to become the "Bill of No Rights for Parents" and the question arises about who is really bringing up our children? In Jn10:1-17, Jesus teaches about the different entities that come to destroy the flock, as well as the protector and leader of the flock. Who are these entities and what is their purpose?

The Good Shepherd.

Jesus has reveals that He is the Good Shepherd and the sheep-gate which is the doorway in to the Church. He is our victor, our shield and buckler. Our defender, comforter, restorer and provider. (Ps. 91, 59:9-11 & 16-17, 28:7-9 and Ps. 23). The Good Shepherd is committed to the flock and will ultimately lay down his life to bring them home. This is what Jesus has done for us on Calvary. (Jn10:15-18,)

When the Good Shepherd speaks, the flock pay heed to his call and live an abundant life . (Jn10:10,) Jesus warns us about shepherds who desire to destroy the flock. So who are they and how do we recognise them.

The Stranger Danger.

These are the ones who will dress in sheep's clothing and become acquainted with the flock, drawing them to themselves. Even in the presence of the Good Shepherd they will cull them out from the flock, slowly leading them astray. This is often achieved by personal and secret counselling, frequent home visits, invitations to private bible studies, teaching personal theologies, opinions, handing out books, tapes and other so called Christian programmes not known to, nor approved of, by the Leader. They worm their way between friends and spouses, building trust and drawing fidelity toward themselves.

Whilst attending a Prayer Meeting two years ago, the leader became aware that he had a wolf in the flock. He took steps to identify the culprit without disturbing the members. It took time to identify who the person was. In the meantime, the people were feeling uneasy, some left because of the influence of the wolf. Others were afraid to say anything to the Leader in case it got people into trouble.

This wolf had so beguiled them that some began to think of him as their leader.

They began to share things about their lives and concerns with him that were the rightful domain of the true shepherd. When the wolf was found and cast out of the flock, some of the people that were infected left also. This caused great pain for the leader because he knew that he had to lose a few to save many. The wolf turned out to be a person who was close to the leader and who held a position of trust. Abusing this trust, this person had drawn loyalty to himself through sowing seeds of doubt regarding the ability of the Leader to do a good job.

Today the group is standing stronger than ever under the same leader. People are now growing in the spirit and in fellowship. There is a renewed enthusiasm and a confidence for the future. You see, it is the role of a good shepherd to take out and destroy the wolves.

Clearly a good shepherd has no easy task.

Few people actually see what they go through because there is no other motive but love. This kind of love does not display itself with bombast. Through this example, we can see why it is important for us to hear the voice of God and listen to St. Paul's adjuration to the Church at Thessolonica; "We beg you, brothers, respect those among you whose task it is to exercise authority in the Lord and admonish you; esteem them with the greatest love because of their work." (1 Thess.5: 12-15,)

The Thief and Robber.

The sole purpose of the thief is to steal, kill and destroy as John10:10 puts it. In the extreme they can be people like Jim Jones, David Koresh, Charles Manson or any leader of a cult movement. They appear as great people of God, but their teachings are not founded on Scripture or sound doctrine. Scripture calls these people false prophets who claim to be true shepherds sent by God. (Tit.2:10-16,), (2Pet.2:1-22,).

To protect the flock from these false teachers and prophets, God has established Shepherds in the Church whom we know as Bishops. They are the authentic teachers of the faith and we would do well to listen to them, especially when they speak Ex-Cathedra.

The Hired Servant.

This type of person does not serve out of love but for personal gain and self adulation. They will make excuses for themselves when things go wrong so that they will not lose any financial or egocentric benefit. If they hold a position of trust, they will not communicate the full truth to the leader on any matter concerning the leader or his flock while he is away from the group.

These people often set themselves up as teachers who are not necessarily practising Christian ethics. They can also teach religious education and compromise the truth of Christianity to suit their own beliefs. They cause confusion and doubts in their students. Talk Shows and other facets of the media can cause us to wander from the truth and lead us into uncharted waters. In contrast to the voice of the Good Shepherd, they create confusion, doubt, division, disunity, marital and family problems, fear and even death.

There are many voices in the world clamouring for our discipleship.

We would do well to listen to the voice of Jesus of Nazareth who says; "I am the Way, The Truth and The Life; no one comes to the Father except through Me.". This is the most profound truth ever spoken in the history of the world and we would be wise to take His Word for it. Just like every baby, even in my cradle, I had learned to recognise my Mothers voice and she knew mine. My relationship grew because I spent time in her presence.

When we received our new birth in Christ we were born brand new.

In the same way that my relationship has grown with my Mother, so it is with God. The more we know God, the more we know who is not God. The more time we spend in His Word, the more we will know the sound of His voice. His character and nature will become more and more familiar to us. Even at a distance we will recognise Him. When He is silent we will understand what He means. When He whispers we will know what He says. When He acts we will know the nature of His presence.

The voice of the Good Shepherd is heard in many ways.

The more we abide in Him, the more He abides in us. His love is eternal and Jesus has the words of eternal life. Unless we become as little children and listen to what He says, we will not enter the Kingdom of God. So, if you truly want to hear the voice of God, read your Bible, pray, listen and take a good hard look at WHO is doing the talking.

"But this thing I did command them: Listen to and obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people; and walk in the whole way that I command you, that it may be well with you." (Jeremiah 7: 2).

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