A reading from the gospel according to John 10:22-30:

22 The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.
23 And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.
24 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.”
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.
26 But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.
27 My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.
29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.
30 The Father and I are one.”

Reflection: Jesus is the Messiah.

The Jews challenged Jesus to tell them plainly if He was the Messiah. These Jews were really importunate. They have already witnessed a lot of miracles such as the numerous healings and the multiplication of the bread. In John 8:58, Jesus already claimed, “Before Abraham, I AM”. Yet, they remained to be incredulous. Jesus explained why. They were not His sheep.

Despite their unbelief, Jesus patiently continued to reveal His identity. Jesus and His Father are one and that the Father is greater than all. He also explained that His sheep know Him, listen to Him and follow Him. They will never perish but be given eternal life.

Up to this day, Jesus remains controversial. Many people are still wondering whether Jesus is God or not. Yet, it cannot be denied that after two millennia, billions of people have entered His sheepfold. We continue to be hopeful and prayerful that the Kingdom is still being build-up until one day, when God is all in all, the whole humanity will be united in singing, “Glory to God in the highest!”