Once again, Jesus’ critics are upset with him. They can’t deny the good he’s doing in freeing people from diseases, but how dare he, a man, make himself God (John 10:33)? Jesus answers them with an argument from their own Scriptures: If Old Testament judges and prophets were termed “gods” for acting and speaking in the name of Yahweh, how much more divine is “the one whom the Father has consecrated and sent into the world” (10:36)?*** He didn’t just hear and transmit the word of God; he is the living Word of God come in the flesh! ***
And what of us, God’s beloved children? When we were baptized, Jesus took up residence in our hearts. He came to live in us in all his divinity.
How awesome to think that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, whose light remains constantly burning within us!
How great is
our dignity, we who are chosen to bear Christ to the world just
as Mary did!
When the Father looks upon us,
he sees his own beloved Son
—and he rejoices in us!
It is easy to lose sight of this reality when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances, when we feel confused or bedraggled, when we’re keenly aware of disappointing our Father.
Like Jeremiah, we sometimes hear naysayers whispering all around us. We are aware of others who wait to pounce on our slightest misstep. It is hard to believe the truth that Jeremiah declared: “The Lord is with me, like a mighty champion” (Jeremiah 20:11).
Even Jesus felt abandoned as he tasted the depths of our alienation from the Father (Matthew 27:46).
Yet he clung to what he knew to be the truth. At what looked like his moment of utter defeat, he confidently placed his life into his Father’s hands (Luke 23:46). Just before today’s Gospel, he declares that no one can snatch us from those strong, capable hands (John 10:28).
Whatever the outward circumstances of your life, whatever your feelings of discouragement, anchor yourself in this humbling, awe inspiring, overwhelming truth: The Lord of heaven and earth has chosen to make his home in you!
“Almighty God, your only Son is alive in me!
Let me draw on the power of his love
every moment of every day.”
Deo Gratius!