⏰Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter (23 April 2024)
πActs 11:19-26; Ps 87:1-3, 4-5, 6-7 (R. Ps 117:1a); John 10:22-30
π€MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE...AND THEY FOLLOW ME (John 10:27)
The conflict of opposites is a major characteristic of the Gospel of St. John. This conflict mostly depicts the conflict between believers and non-believers.
One may be wondering why the Jews always failed to comprehend Jesus' teachings. He had just presented himself as the good shepherd, but they still came up with the question, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly" (John 10:24). It shows, firstly, that they were not listening.
Yes! To them, Jesus was a common Galilean and so is disqualified from being the Messiah (cf. John 8:40-52). How can they then listen to him? Overfamiliarity can also lead us into that kind of attitude.
Note that, in the Gospel, it was not the 'Israelites' that are always raising this opposition but the 'Jews'. The term 'Jews' is an identity of a tribe but the term 'Israel' is an identity of the chosen people of God. Remember that Jesus also said that it was the Father who had given the sheep that follow him to him (John 10:29), and we are privileged members of that flock. Are you faithfully following the Shepherd?
Finally, the Jews who asked that question were really ignorant of the scriptures. A lot of instances in the Scriptures should have explained to them that Jesus is the Christ (see Deut 18:15-20; Jer 3:15). But that is Johannine irony at play. Those who should know or who claim to know do not really know (cf. John 3:10).
Are you whom you should be or whom you claim to be? The Christians at Antioch were so called because they behaved like Christ (see Acts 11:23-26).
May Christ the Good Shepherd guide us along the right path and enable us to understand his ways so that we may be his faithful witnesses here on earth. Amen.
Have a beautiful day ahead under the watchful guide of Christ. Peace be with you.
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