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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider The Jewish feast of tabernacles was near

The Jewish feast of tabernacles was near

Published Mar 20, 2026 12:05 am  |  Updated Mar 19, 2026 06:25 pm
REFLECTIONS TODAY
During the seven-day celebration called the feast of Tabernacles (or Sukkot in Hebrew; also known as the feast of Booths), the Jews remember God’s faithful presence among his people during their 40 years of desert wandering.
This ancient celebration carries deep meaning for us today. Just as God dwelt among the Israelites in the wilderness, he continues to make his dwelling in our lives. When confusion clouds our judgment, when exhaustion weighs heavy on our spirits, when desperation threatens to overwhelm us, God ushers us to the “tabernacle” of his love.
In today’s Gospel, the Jews are plotting to kill Jesus. Yet Jesus remains steadfast in his mission, trusting in the Father who intimately dwells in him.
Gospel John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30
Jesus moved about within Galilee; but he did not wish to travel in Judea, because the Jews were trying to kill him. But the Jewish feast of Tabernacles was near.
But when his brothers had gone up to the feast, he himself also went up, not openly but as it were in secret.
Some of the inhabitants of Jerusalem said, “Is he not the one they are trying to kill? And look, he is speaking openly and they say nothing to him. Could the authorities have realized that he is the Christ? But we know where he is from. When the Christ comes, no one will know where he is from.”
So Jesus cried out in the temple area as he was teaching and said, “You know me and also know where I am from. Yet I did not come on my own, but the one who sent me, whom you do not know, is true. I know him, because I am from him, and he sent me.” So they tried to arrest him, but no one laid a hand upon him, because his hour had not yet come.
Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2026,” 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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