＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊

Acts 11:19-26

 Those who had been scattered

Because of the persecution over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch, telling the message, but only to the Jews. But there were some natives of Cyprus and Cyrene among them who, on coming into Antioch, spoke also to the Greeks, giving them the good news of the Lord Jesus.  The hand of the Lord was with them so that a great number believed and turned to the Lord. 

 News of this reached the ears of the Church in Jerusalem, so they sent Barnabas to An­tioch. When he arrived and saw the manifest signs of God’s favor, he rejoiced and urged them all to remain firmly faithful to the Lord; for he himself was a good man filled with Holy Spirit and faith. Thus large crowds came to know the Lord.

 Then Barnabas went off to Tarsus to look for Saul and when he found him, he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they had meetings with the Church and instructed many people. It was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

 

Ps 87:1b-3, 4-5, 6-7

All you nations, praise the Lord.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊

John 10:22-30

 The time came for the feast of the Dedication. It was winter and Jesus walked back and forth in the portico of Solomon. The Jews then gathered around him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in doubt?

If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered, “I have already told you but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name proclaim who I am, but you don’t believe because, as I said, you are not my sheep.

 My sheep hear my voice and I know them; they follow me and I give them eternal life. They shall never perish and no one will ever steal them from me. What the Father has given me is above everything else and no one can snatch it from the Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

Jesus is now in the center of political and spiritual power in the land. Jerusalem, the city of peace, that has experienced continuous unrest since it became the capital of David's kingdom. And now, again, unrest is fermenting among the people ripe for rebellion against their foreign masters.

Everyone is wary and on guard. The Roman army's presence is visible everywhere. The political and religious authorities of Israel are on the lookout for what Jesus is doing. They are afraid that he will rock the uneasy peace in the land and their own hold on power and authority.

The people are in eager anticipation of the Messiah to come. Thus they confront Jesus and ask him to be forthright if indeed He is the chosen one. Jesus answered by telling them to discern what he has been doing and preaching all along. He need not proclaim who He is. Only His sheep will know.