Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: April 23, 2024

Date:  Tuesday of the 4th Week of Easter  

Scripture Text:  John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to 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 I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel pericope for today recounts Jesus’ encounter with those challenging Him and who He has revealed himself to be. It occurs immediately after Jesus’ “Good Shepherd Discourse” in the Gospel of John. To the challengers who demand, “If you are the Christ, tell us plainly,” Jesus responds simply, “I told you and you do not believe.” Jesus then goes on to state that His works “testify” on His behalf, the work His Father sent Him to do. Then Jesus reverts to his metaphor of the “Good Shepherd.” He tells the challengers that their non-belief reveals that they are not among the sheep of His flock. The sheep of the Good Shepherd’s flock know Jesus’ voice. But more than that; Jesus stresses that He knows his own, those who follow Him. And finally, He tells the challengers, those who are of His flock will never perish but will have eternal life because of the Father who have given them to Jesus and “no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.”

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I believe Jesus, Son of Mary, Jesus of Nazareth, is the Christ? Do I believe with all my being that He is the Son of God?  Do I recognize Jesus’ voice?

Praying:

LORD, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Savior, we come to You as You call to us. We seek to follow You wherever You lead us. Send your Spirit to grace us with the gifts of faith, hope and love so that we might be the disciples You call us to be. Amen.