Gospel – John 10: 22-30
It was the feast of the Dedication at Jerusalem; it was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense?
If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish, and no one shall snatch them out of my hand.
My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
The Gospel of the Lord
The Mass intention is for Betty O’Shea, RIP (OL)
Reflection:
This incident takes place on the feast of the Dedication or Hannukah, which celebrates the dedication of the altar in the Temple reconstructed by the Machabees. The Jews ask him the question that is put to him in the Holy Week trial and he gives the same answer that he gives then.
The tone of his answers indicates that he sees their questioning as hostile. He describes them as not of his flock: they have followed hirelings. The response of the crowd (not given in the Gospel reading today) is to throw stones at him, accusing him of blasphemy. This shows that they understood quite well that he was making the claim that he was equal to God.
As the sheep recognises the voice of its shepherd, I look over these past days, listening for the word of God spoken to me through those around me, through my observations and experiences.
- If my prayer and my Christian life are dull and lifeless, is it because I ‘do not believe’ all that Jesus has told me about his love for me?
- We Christians should be the happiest of people, no matter what our problems. Why? Because our future is fully secure and totally attractive. There are no terms and conditions.
