My Shepherd’s Voice

Two weeks before the WKC, I was able to talk to Father Gustillo and asked him again if he could celebrate the Sunday mass of our Kids Conference. He smiled and told me “hmmmm paano ko kaya kakausapin ang mga batang iyon… Magdala kaya ako ng puppet?” I smiled and told him why not father?! Fr. G told me, “you know what that Sunday reading will be about the Good shepherd.” When I heard that, I got more excited I felt that it will be an awesome weekend indeed.
That Sunday, Fr. Gustillo came early. I saw him walking towards the stage area. I approached him. He asked me how many kids that had attended. “Around 500 father.” Then he replied: “500? Hmmm it was more than I expected.” He asked me to gather 5 district coordinators with 10 kids each from their area. I went out of the hall. I saw Tito Ric from Laguna with his kids they are all set for last day activities. I told him to see Fr. Gustillo at the hall. Then Tito Jimmy from manila who just had breakfast with his kids, I also saw Tito Dennis and told him to gather 10 kids from Nova. Tito Allan was resting at the sampaguita hall with his delegation that time I also told him Fr. G’s instruction. On my way back, I saw Tito Roel and asked if he could gather 10 kids. 10 minutes after, they were all there. Listening attentively to Fr. Gustillo’s instructions, He asked them to make a unique sound and let their kids memorize that sound.
With Fr. G’s signal during his homily, the kids stood up and quickly looked for the sound made by their coordinator. Fr. Gustillo said if you are familiar to the voice who is calling you, you’ll follow. During that homily, I realized that I heard this parable since I was a kid. I used to join bible study for kids and this is one of the popular stories ever since. The lesson of the story never changed and it will never change. I realized I’m like a sheep. I might be lost along the way and got distracted. Looking for my way back but my shepherd knows me. He looked for me and took me to His arms again.
It was great reminder not just for me but also for all the kids. In their young age, they are reminded to obey the people that God send to guide them. Obeying the people who loves us will keep us from harm and make us a better person. It is also a reminder to the parents, coordinators, heart champs, fulltime workers and mission volunteers that like the shepherd in the story must also be vigilant and responsible in taking care of their sheep. God entrusted the kids to us to love and guide them as they grow up. God is really so smart to end the conference with this message. It is something that we’ll carry on the whole year round. Our God is our shepherd and He is our awesome God.