Reflection for TUESDAY, 4th Week of Easter.
By
Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Director, Social Action Movement, Don Bosco Bidar
Reflective reading of the Word of God
John 10:22-30
The Father and I are one
It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ Jesus replied:
‘I have told you, but you do not believe.
The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness;
but you do not believe,
because you are no sheep of mine.
The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice;
I know them and they follow me.
I give them eternal life;
they will never be lost
and no one will ever steal them from me.
The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone,
and no one can steal from the Father.
The Father and I are one.’
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.”
Reflection on the Readings
As Christians, our mission is to proclaim the Good News of salvation.
We carry out our mission according to our vocation.
So some are called to preach, some are called to teach, some are called to lead.
There are so many ways that the Good News is proclaimed, and each Christian is called to do it in a unique way.
In the 1st reading, when the Church in Jerusalem heard about what was happening in Antioch, they sent Barnabas to find out more.
Barnabas (his name means “son of encouragement”) saw for himself that God has given grace to the church in Antioch, and he was pleased, and he urged them all to remain faithful to the Lord with heartfelt devotion.
The 1st reading also said this of Barnabas: he was a good man, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith.
So Barnabas encouraged and supported the Christians in Antioch, and later he would mentor St. Paul to be a great missionary.
So to be a witness and to proclaim the Good News of salvation does not necessarily mean that we must be very knowledgeable, and capable and suitable.
Like Barnabas, we just need to be a good person, filled with the Holy Spirit and with faith, and to encourage and support others to live the Christian life.
Let us remember that the Lord calls us to do little things with great love.
GOD BLESS YOU
Good morning. Have a nice day.
POWERFUL NOVENA PRAYER FOR ELECTION should be FOLLOWED BY THE ROSARY every day from 2nd to 10th May
Please forward it to reach everyone before noon
God of mercy, we ask you to inspire voters and guide them as they participate in the upcoming Karnataka election.
We seek a government that upholds and protects human rights and justice for all its citizens, regardless of race, class, gender, or religion.
Move and inspire voters by your presence among us in the most vulnerable in our society.
For their tears are your tears, their pain is your pain, their suffering is your suffering.
In the precious name of Jesus and in gratitude for the right to vote, we pray.
I Believe in God the Father ……