Gospel Reading for April 23, 2024 – John 10: 22-30
SO SAFE AND SECURE
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.”
————
If we consider ourselves sheep of the Shepherd Jesus, we should feel SO SAFE AND SECURE hearing him say: “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.” So, even when we are faced with life’s difficulties, however great the difficulty, we are assured of Jesus’ support, and we will never be alone; even when the devil uses all his wily ways to lure us into his trap, we are assured of Jesus’ support, and we will remain strong; even if at times we may be unable to hear his voice and go astray, we are assured that he will do everything to get us back to the fold.
This is the great blessing of being a Christian. Our shepherd will fight for us. He will disperse the wolves that surround us. He is our NAVIGATOR. By following him, we will surely reach our heavenly destination!
Jesus, you are our Good Shepherd, we are your sheep!
