MEDITATION TIPS — Fourth Sunday of Easter,
May 11, 2025

“My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:27)

　In order for us, as sheep, to discern Jesus’ voice, a certain mental mindset is necessary. This is because listening to His voice requires making a decision. Life is a series of decisions. We are constantly asked to make choices from many options, and branching out from there, we move forward. Decision-making is a powerful force that drives human progress. Unless we make significant decisions in our lives, we cannot grow as individuals. However, decisions are often accompanied by doubt. There are cases where we cannot decide and remain lost in hesitation indefinitely. Yet, “what is pondered for a long time is not always the best choice” (Goethe).

　Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty, considered one of the greatest rulers in Chinese history, valued “three mirrors” to avoid making critical mistakes. He said, “If you use bronze as a mirror, you can correct your clothes and cap. If you use the past as a mirror, you can know the rise and fall [of a nation]. If you use people as a mirror, you can clarify gains and losses. I constantly maintain these three mirrors to prevent my own errors.” In other words, “bronze” refers to the old bronze mirrors, and it means managing one’s mental state as reflected in the mirror. That is, for a correct decision, it is first necessary to maintain a correct mental state. Ignatius of Loyola also states in his Spiritual Exercises that one should never make important decisions when the heart is in turmoil, such as with anxiety, anger, or panic, as one will surely regret it later. The second mirror, “the past,” refers to history. What happens in the human world is merely a repetition of past events, so we can gain important hints by drawing analogies when making a decision. The third mirror, “people,” refers to those close to us who speak frankly and tell us when we are wrong. If we run with our own thoughts alone, we will often be mistaken because our preconceived notions, fueled by passion, blind us to what is around us. Proper management of the mind, a learning attitude towards history, and the presence of friends who can point out our mistakes— these are also the necessary mindset for “discerning Jesus’ voice.”

　 At times, when we cannot make a decision, no matter how much we ponder, it often means that the decision is at a “either way” level. There is a helpful hint in the Bible. When a new apostle was to be chosen to replace Judas Iscariot, people proposed Matthias and Justus and “prayed, ‘You, Lord, who know the hearts of all, show us which of these two you have chosen to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belonged.’ Then they cast lots, and the choice fell on Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles” (Acts 1:24-26). Some might wonder why they would choose an important apostle by casting lots, but the truth is that either Matthias or Justus would have been fine; what was important was to “see God’s will in the outcome.” That is, to firmly fulfill what we have chosen — this is God’s will. Life is a continuous series of decisions. However, “to regret a past misfortune that cannot be undone is a shortcut to inviting further misfortune” (Shakespeare).

 　　　　　(Contributed by Father Yutaka Akabae)