William Cardinal Goh The Shepherd's Voice

When Israel was defeated in battle, instead of discerning God’s will, they assume that bringing the Ark of the Covenant will guarantee victory. But the real problem was not the absence of the Ark, it was their refusal to live the covenant. When the Ark was captured, the message was clear: God cannot be manipulated. What He desires is a conversion of heart. Failures, suffering, and setbacks are not signs that God has abandoned us or His way of revenge on us. Often, they are invitations for us to examine our lives, purify our intentions, humble ourselves and deepen our trust in Him. True healing begins not when we try to control God, but when we surrender to Him.Reflection Question: Where have I been relying on religious habits, rituals, or explanations to avoid honestly facing what God is calling me to change?

Jesus’ life and ministry are completely one. From morning to evening, he serves tirelessly: not only the crowds, but also his close collaborators and their families. Jesus’ ministry is not a job with fixed hours; it is his life, flowing from his deep love for the Father and for the people. His strength comes from prayer. By rising early to pray, Jesus remains clear, focused, and free from self-interest. In contrast, Eli whose years in ministry led to complacency and spiritual blindness. He could no longer recognise God’s voice or respond with urgency. What was once a calling, had become a routine.When love fades into habit, when service becomes a burden, when we cling to roles instead of responding to God’s call, ministry quietly turns into just another job. Jesus shows us the way: a life poured out, sustained by prayer, always free to go where the Father sends.Today we are invited to examine our own service: Is it still rooted in prayer and love, or has it become mere routine? Like Samuel, may we learn to say, “Here I am, Lord,” and serve with renewed zeal and faithfulness.Reflection Question: Is my service still flowing from prayer and love, or has it become routine, obligation, or mere work?

True ministry draws its power from prayer and holiness, not from position or activity. Eli held religious authority but lacked spiritual depth. Over time, he became blind to what God was doing and failed those entrusted to his care. Hannah, though insignificant in society, prayed with humility and trust. When God gave her a child, she did not cling to him but offered him back to the Lord for the service of others. Her prayer was answered because it was not centred on herself.In the Gospel, Jesus reveals the true source of authority: a life rooted in intimacy with the Father. Leadership in the Church and in life, cannot be reduced to efficiency, activity or status. Without prayer, integrity, and self-gift, leadership becomes empty. Only lives offered beyond ourselves, like Hannah and Jesus, can truly bear fruit for the community.Reflection Question: How is my relationship with God shaping the way I serve, lead, and give myself to others in this season of my life?

After the Feast of the Epiphany, the Church continues to reflect on the mystery of the Incarnation. St John reminds us that to deny Jesus’ coming in the flesh is to misunderstand salvation itself. If Jesus were not truly human, He could not truly save us. As the Letter to the Hebrews teaches, Jesus lived fully as one of us, sharing our struggles and suffering, so that He could lead us to God. Today, while Jesus’ humanity is easily accepted, His divinity is often softened or avoided. Out of fear of appearing exclusive, Jesus is reduced to a good teacher or one figure among many. In doing so, we weaken our faith and obscure the Gospel. Reflection Question: How does believing that He is both truly God and truly human change the way I trust Him, follow Him, and live the Gospel today?

We are often tempted to be vague about our faith in order to be inclusive or socially acceptable. Jesus is sometimes presented merely as a moral teacher, a social reformer, or a symbol of peace; rather than the Son of God and Saviour of the world. Such ambiguity may sound gentle, but in truth, it erodes integrity. When faith is reduced to vague values and carefully chosen words, truth becomes negotiable.St John reminds us to hold fast to what we received from the beginning. Rooted in Scripture and Tradition, and guided by the Holy Spirit, we are called to confess Christ without fear and to surround ourselves with friends who help us grow in truth and holiness, like Saints Basil and Gregory.Reflection Question: Have I become ambiguous about my faith in Jesus, and who in my life helps me grow in truth, holiness and courage?