REFLECTIONS TODAY
Today’s Gospel is from the last verses of John 10. The passage stands in between the good shepherd discourse and the raising of Lazarus. Jesus asserts, “I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly” (10:10). And the raising of Lazarus to life is the last of the seven signs performed by Jesus. The works (ta erga) of Jesus, being the Good Shepherd, culminates in the raising of Lazarus. All the signs that he performed in the preceding chapters connect to his offering of his life found in the following chapters. In today’s Gospel, Jesus’ relationship and oneness with the Father is characterized by Jesus’ works, works that give life. His relationship with the Father is manifested in the many good works he performs. As Christians, we are challenged to align our works with those of Jesus. Are the things we do reflective of Jesus’ works? Do our works also determine the kind of relationship we have with God? Is our Christian life characterized by being life-giving?Gospel • John 10:31-42
The Jews picked up rocks to stone Jesus. Jesus answered them, “I have shown you many good works from my Father. For which of these are you trying to stone me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for a good work but for blasphemy. You, a man, are making yourself God.” Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your law, ‘I said, “You are gods” ’? If it calls them gods to whom the word of God came, and Scripture cannot be set aside, can you say that the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world blasphemes because I said, ‘I am the Son of God’? If I do not perform my Father’s works, do not believe me; but if I perform them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, so that you may realize and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” Then they tried again to arrest him; but he escaped from their power. He went back across the Jordan to the place where John first baptized, and there he remained. Many came to him and said, “John performed no sign, but everything John said about this man was true.” And many there began to believe in him. Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).