As a little girl on the farm I was responsible for feeding the pigs; so I learned how to call them to the fence for their feast. 

Years later, when my family visited a working farm open to the public, my knowledge of calling pigs came in handy. As we strolled along a wide path, we saw people standing on the fence, shouting and waving their arms. 

A herd of pigs huddled under the shade of a distant tree. The people were trying frantically to get the pigs to come to the fence. I calmly climbed up on the fence and used my knowledge. 

The whole herd of pigs came running to the fence. The tourists asked, ‘How did you do that?’ I explained simply, ‘They knew the distinctive call and responded.’

The same is true for followers of Christ. When we hear the distinctive call of the one who knows us by name, we respond because we know his voice. 

John 10:5 says, ‘They will not follow a stranger… because they do not know the voice of strangers.’ We hear many voices in our lives, but only one, the voice of Jesus Christ our Lord, can lead us to the eternal feast.

Prayer: Good Shepherd, when we hear you calling us by name, let us run to you for everything we need. Amen