Today we celebrate Good Shepherd Sunday, and it is also the World Day of Prayer for Vocations.

One moment I remember clearly— when my brother made his first vows.

I was sitting at the back of the church, watching him.

And suddenly, a question came into my heart:

“Why him… and not me?”

That question stayed with me.

At first, I did not understand it. But that voice came to my mind many times.
During that time, I hesitated too. I knew I had lots of wrong behaviours. And I also questioned myself, am I good enough to follow Jesus?

Later, I asked my brother, “Can I follow you and join the SVD?”

And he said something I will never forget: “No, You are not following me. You are following Jesus.” That sentence stayed with me.

Then I joined a vocation camp with the theme: “Come and see.”

Those simple words from the Gospel touched my heart: “Come and see.”

Not forcing me.
Not pushing me.
Just inviting me… to take one step.

And when I look back now, I realise something important.

God was not only calling me in big moments.
He was teaching me how to listen.

Because vocation is not only about priests or religious life.
Vocation is about learning to identify the voice of the Shepherd. Repeat this one:

And that is not always easy.

Because Jesus also speaks today about other voices— voices that are not His. He calls them thieves and brigands.

In life, we do not only hear one voice. We hear many voices every day.

Some are good. Some are confusing. Some sound attractive—but do not lead us to life.

And I saw this in my own life.

When I left school…I felt making money is good. when I followed my own way…I thought I am free.

Voices telling me what success should look like. Voices telling me to choose what is easier. Voices telling me I could manage life by myself.

But these voices steal something from us— our peace, our trust, our identity.

That is what Jesus means by thieves and brigands: they try to take us away from the voice of God.

But the voice of the Shepherd is different. He never destroys us. His voice brings peace, not fear. And He calls us by name, personally.

That is how I began to recognise His voice in my own life.

That question in my heart— “Why him… and not me?”

It did not bring pressure.
It did not bring fear.
It brought a quiet invitation.

And later, when I heard: “Come and see,” it was the same voice. Gentle. Patient. Inviting me, step by step.

That is how vocation works.

So, vocation is not first about what you become. It is about who you listen to.

This is true for all of us.

Some are called to priesthood.
Some to religious life.
Many are called to marriage, to family life.

But every vocation begins with Listening. Listening to the voice of the Shepherd.

Each one of us, in different ways, is both sheep and shepherd.

Parents guide children. Friends support each other. We all influence someone.

But before we guide others, we must first learn to listen.

Because there are many voices in our world. But only one voice gives life.

So today, the invitation is simple. Take a moment to listen.

Where is God calling you right now?

Maybe not to something big. Maybe something small: to forgive someone, to return to prayer, to trust Him again, to take one step closer to Jesus

Because the Shepherd is still speaking— not only in big moments, but in quiet, daily ways.

And if we learn, slowly, to recognise His voice, we will discover something deeper:

We will discover peace.
We will discover direction.
We will discover life.

And most of all, we will discover that we are deeply loved by God.