4th Tuesday of Easter
28 April 2026
Hearing His voice
In the first reading today, the Church is on the move. Not by strategy. Not by a carefully designed plan. But by scattering. “Those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch…”
At first, they speak only to Jews, that’s what they know, that’s where they’re comfortable. But then something shifts. “Some of them… began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.” That’s a turning point. Because now the Gospel is crossing a boundary it had not fully crossed before. Not just geographically, but culturally, historically, even religiously.
And then we hear the key line: “The hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.” That’s the action. Not human expansion. Divine movement.
The Church in Jerusalem hears about it and sends Barnabas. When he arrives, the text says: “He saw the grace of God, and he rejoiced.” That matters. Because he could have resisted it. He could have questioned it. Instead, he recognizes that God is at work, and he rejoices. Then he goes to find Saul, brings him into this mission, and together they form this new community. And we’re told: “It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.” That’s not just a name. That’s an identity taking shape.
Now hold that next to the Gospel.
People surround Jesus and ask, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” They want clarity. And Jesus responds: “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.” In other words: the answer is already there. You’re just not recognizing it.
And then He gives the key: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” That’s the dividing line. Not just hearing, but recognizing. Not just seeing, but responding.
Now bring these together.
In Acts, people outside the expected boundaries are hearing the voice of the Shepherd, and following. In the Gospel, some standing right in front of Jesus do not. That contrast is striking. Some who are far away respond immediately. Some who are close do not.
And this connects to everything we’ve been hearing these days. The man born blind is cast out, and Jesus finds him. Jesus says, “I am the gate”, the way into life. He reveals Himself as the Good Shepherd. And now we see the result: The Shepherd is gathering a flock. Not limited. Expanding.
But here’s the key: The flock is not defined by proximity. It’s defined by response. “My sheep hear my voice… and they follow me.”
That makes this very concrete for us.
Because the question is not: am I near the Church? Not: do I know the right language? But: Am I actually listening? Am I recognizing His voice? Am I following?
Barnabas shows us what that looks like. He sees the grace of God, and he rejoices. He doesn’t try to control it or shrink it down. He recognizes the voice of the Shepherd at work, and he joins it.
And that’s the invitation. Not just to believe in the Shepherd. But to become people who recognize His voice in real time. Even when it stretches us. Even when it moves beyond what we expected.
Because the promise Jesus gives is not small: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.” That’s security. That’s belonging. That’s identity.
So today, the question is simple: Am I just hearing words… or recognizing His voice? Am I observing what God is doing… or joining it?
Because the Shepherd is still speaking. The flock is still being gathered. And the life He gives is still being offered.