This Sunday is Good Shepherd Sunday, when we remember in an intentional way that Jesus, by his own declaration, is our shepherd.  One of the titles that all ancient Near East monarchs shared was that of shepherd.  In Jesus, all the offices of the Israelite nation are combined: Prophet, Priest, and King. Since Jesus is the Son of God, it makes sense for him to identify himself as our Good Shepherd.  Shepherds guided and cared for each one of the sheep in their flock.  You get the picture: we are like sheep.  As Isaiah 53:6 says, “We, all, like sheep, have gone astray,”  We need a shepherd to keep us going in the right direction. Jesus said that his sheep listen to his voice because they know him.  There are many voices in today's culture competing for our attention and as an old hymn says, “Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it”.  The voice Jesus left for us when he returned to heaven is the Holy Spirit.  Are you listening?