Memory of the Mother of the Lord

Memorial of Saint Adalbert, bishop of Prague. He suffered martyrdom in eastern Prussia where he had gone to preach the Gospel (+997). He spent time in Rome, where his memory is venerated in the basilica of Saint Bartholomew on the Tiberine Island.

Reading of the Word of God

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The Spirit of the Lord is upon you.
The child you shall bear will be holy.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

John 10,22-30

It was the time of the feast of Dedication in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the Temple walking up and down in the Portico of Solomon. The Jews gathered round him and said, 'How much longer are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us openly.' Jesus replied: 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 my hand. The Father, for what he has given me, is greater than anyone, and no one can steal anything from the Father's hand. The Father and I are one.

 

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

Look down, O Lord, on your servants.
Be it unto us according to your word.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia

The evangelist John notes that many have gathered under that portico to listen to Jesus, and some are asking him to tell them clearly if he is the Messiah or not. They no longer want to be uncertain or in doubt. Their requests seem legitimate: "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah,* tell us plainly." The question was not wrong. But we cannot reduce the search for God to the desire of tranquillity or personal well-being. Searching for God requires that we abandon our certainties and habits so as to be involved in the plan of god's love, the same of Jesus, that is the salvation for all starting from the poorest. There is a syntony between the Father who is in heaven and the Son sent to gather the scattered flock and to lead it to good pasture. Jesus answered them, "The works that I do in my Father's name testify to me." But their eyes were blurred by egoism and by a religiosity that not even considered the good of people especially of the poor. "But you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep," Jesus answered them. They did not feel in need of a shepherd, of a guide, in need of alight for their steps. Without the availability to listen to the Lord and his Word, without the commitment to make life more fraternal and in solidarity it is practically impossible to get closer to God's mystery.