To read the texts click on the texts: Acts 11:19-26; Jn 10:22-30
The
verses that begin today’s reading inform us that Jesus is in Jerusalem at the
Feast of Dedication which was celebrated in December each year. This feast is
the Jewish festival of Hanukkah. It celebrated the liberation of Jerusalem from
the reign of the Syrian (Seleucid) king Antiochus Epiphanes. Antiochus had
defiled the Jerusalem Temple in 167 BCE by building an altar to his own gods
within the Temple sanctuary. In 165 BCE,
Judas Maccabeus and his brothers regained control of the Temple and rededicated
it to the God of Israel. The eight-day feast took place in the month December
and was marked by the lighting of lamps and rejoicing.
The
Jewish religious authorities begin the dialogue by asking Jesus whether he is
the Messiah. They are annoyed that Jesus is not being explicit. This is the
only place in the Gospel of John where Jesus is asked explicitly whether he is
the Messiah. Jesus responds that he has been explicit and that he has told
them, in no uncertain terms, the truth about himself and yet, they do not
believe. Jesus then points to his ‘works” as indicators of this claim. “Works”
here does not refer to miracles alone, but to the broader scope of Jesus’
ministry and includes the revelation of himself as having been sent by God.
Belief
in Jesus determines whether one belongs to the fold of Jesus. Since the Jewish
leaders do not believe, they cannot and do not belong to the fold. Those who
belong to the fold hear the voice of the Shepherd and follow trustingly.
Following Jesus leads to eternal life which he alone can give. The reason why
Jesus can do this is because he has received this gift directly from the
Father. What is more is that Jesus and the Father are one. This means that
Jesus and God are united in their work of salvation and Jesus shares completely
in God’s work.
We
are privileged, as Christians, to have as our God one who is Good Shepherd, one
whose primary interest and concern is to care for the good of the sheep. Our
God is a God who wants to lead us to safety and to places where there is
abundance. He wants what is best for us at all times and will do anything to
protect us from any kind of harm. Though this is the case, we do not always
listen to his voice and we prefer to go our own way. The only result that we
can expect, after such a choice, is destruction and death.
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