Gospel (Jn 10,22-30)

In those days, the feast of the Dedication occurred in Jerusalem. It was winter. Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon's porch. Then the Jews gathered around him and said to him: "How long will you keep us in uncertainty? If you are the Christ, tell us openly." Jesus answered them: "I told you, and you do not believe; the works that I do in the name of my Father, these bear witness to me. But you do not believe because you are not part of my sheep. My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow me. I give them eternal life and they will not be lost forever and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who gave them to me, is greater than all and no one can snatch them from the Father's hand. I and the Father are one."

The commentary on the Gospel by Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia

Jesus - the evangelist John tells us - is found on this day of celebration in the portico of Solomon, one of the porticoes that surround the temple square from the inside. It will be the place where the first Christian community, after the resurrection of Jesus, used to meet for his meetings, as if they wanted to continue to frequent the places dear to Jesus and repeat what he did and said. The evangelist notes that many have gathered on that porch to listen to Jesus. Some ask him to say clearly whether he is the Messiah or not. They no longer want to remain in uncertainty and doubt. The requests seem legitimate: «How long will you keep us in uncertainty? If you are the Christ, tell us openly." The question wasn't wrong. But it is not possible to reduce the search for God to one's desire for tranquility or personal well-being. The search for God requires abandoning one's certainties and habits to allow oneself to be involved in God's plan of love, the same as Jesus', that is, the salvation of all, starting from the poorest. There is a harmony between the Father who is in heaven and the Son sent to gather the scattered flock and lead it to good pastures. Jesus answered them: "The works that I do in the name of my Father, these bear witness to me." But their eyes were clouded by selfishness and a religiosity that did not even consider the good of the people and in particular of the poor. «But you do not believe because you are not part of my sheep», Jesus answered them. They did not feel in need of a shepherd, in need of a guide, in need of a light for their steps. Without the willingness to listen to the Lord and his Word, without the commitment to making life more fraternal and supportive, it is practically impossible to approach the mystery of God.