Feast of the Dedication

Today's Reflections

Feast of the Dedication 

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Jn 10:22-30

²²The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. ²³And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. ²⁴So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” ²⁵Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. ²⁶But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. ²⁷My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. ²⁹My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰The Father and I are one.”

Reflection:

I give them eternal life. In 2011, a father was driving his car in Joplin, Missouri, USA, when a passing tornado sucked his son through the roof of the car. The father caught the feet of the boy and held on to him as long as he could, but had to finally release him. The boy was found dead later. The father loved his son but was not strong enough to keep him safe.

Jesus says in the Gospel that he gives eternal life to his sheep and they shall never perish. “No one can take them out of my hand.” But while no one can separate us from Jesus, we can separate ourselves from him. Let us match with our surrender to him Jesus’ desire to keep us his.

Because we belong to Jesus, we belong to his Father

since the Father and Jesus are one.