“Let us have recourse to that fatherly love revealed to us by Christ in his messianic mission, a love which reached its culmination in his cross, in his death and resurrection.”
READ: JOHN 10:19–42
These words caused disagreement among the Jews. Many said, “He is possessed, he is raving; why bother to listen to him?” Others said, “These are not the words of a man possessed by a devil: could a devil open the eyes of the blind?” It was the time when the feast of Dedication was being celebrated in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, “How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus replied: “I have told you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name are my witness; but you do not believe, because you are no sheep of mine. The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice; I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never be lost and no one will ever steal them from me. The Father who gave them to me is greater than anyone, and no one can steal from the Father. The Father and I are one.” The Jews fetched stones to stone him, so Jesus said to them, “I have done many good works for you to see, works from my Father; for which of these are you stoning me?” The Jews answered him, “We are not stoning you for doing a good work but for blasphemy: you are only a man and you claim to be God.” Jesus answered: “Is it not written in your Law: I said, you are gods? So the Law uses the word gods of those to whom the word of God was addressed, and scripture cannot be rejected. Yet you say to someone the Father has consecrated and sent into the world, ‘You are blaspheming,’ because he says, ‘I am the son of God.’ If I am not doing my Father’s work, there is no need to believe me; but if I am doing it, then even if you refuse to believe in me, at least believe in the work I do; then you will know for sure that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.” They wanted to arrest him then, but he eluded them. He went back again to the far side of the Jordan to stay in the district where John had once been baptizing. Many people who came to him there said, “John gave no signs, but all he said about this man was true”; and many of them believed in him.
YOUR THREE-STEP GUIDE TO DAILY MENTAL PRAYER
REFLECT
“I give them eternal life.” Shepherds want their sheep to thrive. They want their sheep to stay safe, to eat well, to be healthy and happy — the shepherds’ livelihood depends on it. Christ is our shepherd.
Jesus: All I want is for you to flourish, to experience the fullness and wonder of life as I designed it to be. Every invitation I make, every indication I give through my words, my example, the commandments, the teachings of my Church, the nudges in your conscience — all have but one purpose: to lead you into the incomparably rich pastures of a life in communion with me, a communion that can begin here on earth but will reach its fulfillment only when you come home to Heaven. I want to be your Good Shepherd, and my greatest joy is when you decide to be my good sheep.
RESPOND
You and the Father are one, and You invite me to be one with You. I can’t get over how strange it is that You, Creator of all things, deign to come into my life and address me, guide me, and patiently invite me to follow You and assume responsibility in Your Kingdom. You and I both know that I don’t deserve this kind of attention. It flows from Your abundant goodness, which will never run dry.
REST
You were eager to dwell among men because You had something to give them — Your love, Your wisdom, Your grace. And now You have made me Your messenger. Am I as eager as You were to engage my neighbors, to bring them Your light? I am reluctant sometimes. I don’t love enough. But You know that I want to love more. And that’s all You need. You will work wonders through those who trust in You.
RESOLVE
How can I carry this encounter with me into the day? (Write / Journal)
CLOSING PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Most Blessed and Holy Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, thank You for Your love and Your grace in allowing me this time of prayer with You.
The world, the flesh, and the devil will all propose things I should focus on and run after today. I beg You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit and help me instead to know and embrace Your will. Help me to see what You desire of me each moment of this day. Give me the wisdom, strength, and fortitude I need to avoid distractions, discern Your will, and focus on and carry out that which Wisdom reveals. Help me to work and live at a pace of peace and prayerfulness, always attentive to You, able to hear Your voice and to say no to anything that hinders my journey to You and a complete yes to every Holy prompting from You.
Help me to humbly and purposefully live, light, and lead others to the path of union with You and to tell everyone about this way of life. Amen.
About the Author
Fr. John Bartunek was ordained in 2003. He has taught moral theology at various ecclesiastical institutions at the graduate and undergraduate levels, and has authored many books, including the Gospel companion, The Better Part, and Inside the Passion, the only authorized behind-the-scenes look at the film, for which he provided on-set spiritual support. His online retreat guides are available in multiple formats at RCSpirituality.org. Fr. John currently resides in Atlanta, where he is serving as territorial vicar for the Legionaries of Christ.
