Word from Wiese

The Voice

The Voice

Word from Wiese

18 September 2024

The Voice died last week.

Darth Vader

Image from sabers.com

Throughout many of our lives, James Earl Jones’ voice etched a permanent place in our memory banks.

For those who grew up with the Star Wars saga, his voice empowers Darth Vader.  “Luke, I am your father!”   For you Field of Dreams fans, Jones’ voice urges the crazy dream of building a baseball diamond in an Iowa cornfield, promising that “if you build it, they will come.”  For those of you whose parenting included countless viewings of the movie, Lion King, Jones’ voice enlivens pride leader Mufasa, who encourages son Simba with lines like, “You must take your place in the circle of life.”

As we heard in the news, last week this rare EGOT winner (the elusive famous four of Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony) passed away at the age of 93. Undoubtedly, the voice will live on through those movies and soundtracks.

With a name like Christ Our Shepherd, our ears perk up more quickly than most faith communities to the “voice of the shepherd” concept.   Jesus indeed stresses the power of his unique voice in his life-saving mission with us:   “2 The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. 3 The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. 5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.” 6 Jesus used this figure of speech, but the Pharisees did not understand what he was telling them.”  John 10

Right now, in my head, I can hear the timber, tone, and pitch of the voices of people dear in my life.   (I remember my dad saying once, years ago, that he was sad not to be able to recall the voice of his own dad quite as well as the years passed after his death.  That makes a lot of sense to me.  A certain voice can carry so much emotion, for good or ill both).  Right now, I also can hear with my inner memory the voice of James Earl Jones.

 

But isn’t it true that I can’t “hear” Jesus’ earthly vocal voice because my earthly ears have never physically heard it.  I’m envious of the first disciples who saw the human face of Jesus and heard the actual voice of the Good Shepherd’s earthly vocal cords.  Our GIFT Group is moving through The Chosen series, so I do delight in embracing the voice of the wonderful actor who plays Jesus, Jonathan Roumie, as “the best I’ve got” until I actually hear Jesus in heaven.

However, I guess Jesus’ real point about the sheep knowing the shepherd’s voice is not the actual tone of anyone’s voice but the trust, love, and commitment—built over time–associated with that particular voice.

And THAT godly trust, love and commitment I can “hear.”   I hear Jesus’ voice whenever any of you give me bread and wine with your voice’s words, “body and blood of Christ, for you.”  I hear Jesus’ voice whenever any of you use your voice to read me the Scriptures as lay readers.  I hear Jesus’ voice whenever I pass a hallway and hear some of you teaching Sunday School or small group, or asking about each other’s welfare after service.   I actually hear Jesus’ voice when I see you folks using your hands to pack lunches or hug each other good morning.  Can I hear Jesus’ voice as all of you sing, even if some of you sing off pitch?   Yes!

May God bless our ears and hearts to hear quickly the calling and guiding voice of our trustworthy Good Shepherd throughout life, and the feet and fortitude to act accordingly!

In Christ’s hope,

P Fritz

Questions for Reflection:

  1. Do you know any bird calls? How did you learn how to identify “the voice” of certain birds?  How is that similar to learning Jesus’ voice?
  2. Even though none of us have ever heard earthly Jesus’ actual voice, how would you explain to somebody the concept?
  3. There are many in today’s world, even Christians with whom we disagree theologically, that seek to “put words in Jesus’ mouth.” How do we decide what we think Jesus would say or not say?  Who or what helps us in that discernment?

Let us pray.   Thank you for the comfort and power of voices that we can trust.  We especially praise you for the voice of your Son, our Good Shepherd.  As his sheep, give us clarity about when (and how) he calls us to follow him . . . .and the obedience to do so.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.