The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice,
says the Lord,
I know them and they follow me. JN 10:27
My Soul's Beloved,
Often we are discouraged when faced with difficulties, when things don't turn out the way we had hoped and planned but when we trust You we can be certain that You can and will bring good out of the most unfavorable circumstances of our lives. Persecution of the early Church forced the disciples to flee Jerusalem but they carried the Good News with them and they preached it wherever they went first to the Jews and then boldly even to Gentiles.
What seemed like a tragedy and defeat was in fact a victory for in fleeing the persecution it was possible to carry out the mission You entrusted to Your followers to the ends of the earth. When we do as You command, when we obey Your Word, when we do You will in all things, even though it may seem that nothing has changed, the truth is that everything changes when we submit humbly to the will and plan of God.
No one can stop what God has ordained not men, not the world, and not the devil. Let this encourage us Lord. When facing discrimination, and persecution, when people make false accusations against Your people and Your Church let us not lose heart for through it all the Holy Spirit is at work to fulfill the will of God and the plan of God.
PSALM 86(87) ©
On the holy mountain is his city
cherished by the Lord.
The Lord prefers the gates of Zion
to all Jacob’s dwellings.
Of you are told glorious things,
O city of God!
‘Babylon and Egypt I will count
among those who know me;
Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia,
these will be her children
and Zion shall be called “Mother”
for all shall be her children.’
It is he, the Lord Most High,
who gives each his place.
In his register of peoples he writes:
‘These are her children,’
and while they dance they will sing:
‘In you all find their home.’
On the holy mountain is his city
cherished by the Lord.
The Lord prefers the gates of Zion
to all Jacob’s dwellings.
Of you are told glorious things,
O city of God!
‘Babylon and Egypt I will count
among those who know me;
Philistia, Tyre, Ethiopia,
these will be her children
and Zion shall be called “Mother”
for all shall be her children.’
It is he, the Lord Most High,
who gives each his place.
In his register of peoples he writes:
‘These are her children,’
and while they dance they will sing:
‘In you all find their home.’
O praise the Lord, all you nations!
JOHN 10:22-30 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
JOHN 10:22-30 ©
My Soul's Beloved,
There are many O Lord like the Jews who gathered around You while You were walking in the Portico of Solomon who even after having heard You preach and teach and witnessed many miracles still demanded: ‘How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’ To this day many who have heard the Gospel and have heard of amazing testimonies of those who witness to the power of Your Name and Your Word, refuse to believe, if they did they would have to change their lives, follow You, and become disciples. But they are too attached to the things of the world, the desires of the flesh, and are readily deceived by the lies of the Enemy.
All that the Father has to say to the world He has said through Your incarnation, life, passion, death, resurrection, and glorious resurrection into Heaven. There is nothing more to say. It is now up to us to decide whether or not we will take God at His Word and believe. Thank You, Lord, for Your assurance that no one can steal what is Yours. Having been baptized into Your Body, and sealed in the Holy Spirit. One with You we are also one with the Father and no one can snatch what belongs to You. We rest in peace in Your love.
‘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 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.’
