The Holy Spirit can be a strict teacher indeed. The Spirit is not given to us just to make us feel good or to provide ecstatic experiences nor to confirm our opinions and prejudices. Peter discovered to his shock that the Spirit was demanding that he change his way of thinking. Nothing that God created was unclean - especially people! He and his fellow Christians would have to learn to accept and love outsiders for all are loved equally by God. The Spirit continues its work and challenges us today to move beyond custom, tradition, and culture. Can we learn to think in terms of one earth and one humanity? Which of our customs, traditions, and attitudes would the Spirit challenge? We only grow spiritually when we are open to the challenge of God's Spirit.

How do we hear the voice of Jesus in a world of myriad loud and conflicting voices? We hear so many different claims and versions of the truth - which way do we turn? John portrays Jesus as the keeper of the gate who calls to his own sheep that are mixed with many others. Those who belong to him will recognize and follow his voice alone. So it is with us: we cannot be swayed by emotion or eloquence and smooth talk. We cannot follow others or just go along with the crowd. It is only by listening with the heart, the inner self, and the conscience that we can hear the voice of the Lord. The Lord speaks our name quietly but clearly - we need but still the mind and heart to hear Him.