Word to the Wise
Tuesday, May 13, 2014 - 4th Week of Easter - Tues
[Acts 11:19-26 and John 10:22-30]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.
TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2014 TUESDAY IN THE FOURTH WEEK IN EASTER [Our Lady of Fatima]
[Acts 11:19-26 and John 10:22-30]
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.
As so often occurs in the dramatic dialogues in the Gospel of John, the conversation slowly but surely, almost in a spiraling repetitive fashion, works its way toward a moment of revelation and challenge. The earlier part of the chapter focused on the relationship between the shepherd [or the gate] and the sheep. This image could apply to any teacher and disciples because it relied on a common image from "pastoral" life in Palestine. However, now, the focus moves closer to the true identity of the shepherd and sheep. The shepherd is the one sent by God and the sheep are the ones who believe and therefore can hear the voice of God. "The Father and I are one." The response of the audience is to pick up stones to throw at him!
I have mentioned that there is a tendency to sentimentalize the "Good Shepherd" imagery, especially along the lines of the beautiful 23rd Psalm ["The Lord is my shepherd..."}, but this scene is a direct confrontation with the failure of the religious leadership of the time in terms of Ezekiel 34! Those who claimed an authority from Abraham and Moses are finding themselves "replaced" by someone who claims authority directly from God, using those sacred words, I AM.
We who live today may find it difficult to understand the situation in the time of the Gospel of John. We may say, "Well, of course, Jesus is........" and do not at all give much thought to it. The gospel is always a challenge to us to respond to Jesus' question: "Who do you say that I am?" Maybe it's time each of us revisited that question. AMEN