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The feast of the dedication

Opinion

The feast of the dedication

By Manila Bulletin

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Jesus’ revelation of himself as the Good Shepherd was done during the feast of Tabernacles (Succoth), a movable feast celebrated in September or October. The evangelist joins it to the revelation of Jesus’ pronouncement on the feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) celebrated in the month of December because it continues the theme of shepherding. Jesus speaks of the sheep given him by the Father, the sheep who hear his voice and follow him.

The Dedication celebrates the Maccabees’ rededication of the altar and the reconsecration of the Jerusalem Temple after the desecration of them by Antiochus IV Epiphanes (1 Mc 4:36-59). The theme of replacement comes into play here. John, who writes of Jesus’ body as the new Temple replacing the Temple of Jerusalem (Jn 2:21-22) now speaks of Jesus as claiming to be “the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world” (Jn 10:36). Jesus, the Consecrated One, not only feeds his sheep; he also gives them eternal life.

Gospel • John 10:22-30

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.

Source: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.

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