4/19/2016 – Tuesday of the 4th week of Easter - John 10:22-30

     Our Gospel takes place during the festival of the Dedication in Jerusalem.  This winter festival commemorates the dedication of the temple by Judas Maccabeus in December 165 BC after it had been desecrated by the Syrian King Antiochus Epiphanes.  Jesus, being a devout Jew, would have celebrated this festival with his disciples and his family.  During this Jewish festival time, Jesus is questioned about his identity again, a recurring theme in the Gospels.  The Jews do not understand who Jesus is.  They are awaiting the Messiah, but they have their own expectations and they are not being fulfilled.  Jesus’ signs and miracles and his proclamation of God’s kingdom are not recognized by so many.  How do we practice our faith, stay true to our traditions, and grow in our relationship with Jesus?  Yesterday, I read an article entitled:  “8 things every Catholic should be doing every day.”  The 8 points that the author recommends includes: 1. Start your day with prayer, reading the Bible, or with your Mother, Mary, 2. Smile – be polite to others – be kind – and give out hugs, 3. Reach out to a friend thru a phone call or an email or a visit, 4. Tell someone you love them and why, 5. Talk about God, 6. Sacrifice something, 7. Serve in some way, and 8. Reflect on your day.   Those are all interesting suggestions.  In whatever way we practice our faith, Jesus must always be our Good Shepherd, we must be true to our faith and our traditions, and we must be true to ourselves.