The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to contrast the acceptance of Jesus by the “Christians'' in Antioch with the scepticism of the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem.
Christians in Antioch
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the growth of the Church in Antioch.
* [11:26] Christians: “Christians” is first applied to the members of the community at Antioch because the Gentile members of the community enable it to stand out clearly from Judaism.1
Psalm 87 praises the joy of Living in Zion.
* [87:5–6] The bond between the exile and the holy city was so strong as to override the exile’s citizenship of lesser cities.2
In the Gospel of John, Jesus is rejected by the Jews.
* [10:24] Keep us in suspense: literally, “How long will you take away our life?” Cf. Jn 11:48–50. If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly: cf. Lk 22:67. This is the climax of Jesus’ encounters with the Jewish authorities. There has never yet been an open confession before them.3
Tamora Whitney comments that Jesus followers recognize him and believe him and believe in him. Like sheep recognize their shepherd and follow him, his people recognize him and follow him. We see them in the first reading now calling themselves Christian. And likewise, like a shepherd recognizes his sheep, Jesus recognizes his people and gives them life everlasting.
If I were singing Mass today, (and I am going back to Mass in person this week but I know it’s still not safe to sing), I would sing Bob Dufford’s beautiful song “Like a Shepherd.” I’ve been humming it the whole time I’ve been working on this reflection. “Like a shepherd he feeds his flock and gathers the lambs in his arms, holding them carefully close to his heart, leading them home.”4
Don Schwager quotes “The Great might of Christ's hand,” by Clement of Alexandria, 150-215 A.D.
"The faithful also have the help of Christ, and the devil is not able to snatch them. Those who have an endless enjoyment of good things remain in Christ's hand, no one thereafter snatching them away from the bliss that is given to them. [No one can throw them] into punishment or torments. For it is not possible that those who are in Christ's hand should be snatched away to be punished because of the great might Christ has. For 'the hand' in the divine Scripture signifies 'the power'" It cannot be doubted therefore that the hand of Christ is unconquerable and mighty to all things." (excerpt from the COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 7.1)5
The Word Among Us Meditation on John 10:22-30 notes that Jesus was not what these Jews expected. They were hoping for a warrior, and instead, they got a Messiah who spoke about turning the other cheek (Luke 6:29). They were hoping for a military leader who would organize a revolt against Rome. Instead, Jesus poured his time into teaching and healing the poor, the sick, and the rejected. Instead of bringing peace, Jesus seemed to be stirring up all kinds of controversy.
Yet there were some who saw beneath the surface of this humble preacher. Jesus called these followers his “sheep” who hear his voice and trust in his way of leadership (John 10:27). He had changed their lives, and they became committed to him. Over time, they came to realize that the kingdom Jesus was preaching about was not constrained by ethnicity or borders or the politics of the time. In his kingdom, everyone was welcome; everyone was invited to live as he did—in mercy, humility, and self-sacrifice.6
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the response of Jesus followers to continued persecution. Barnabas and Paul evangelize the community at Antioch to become followers of Christ (Greek for Messiah). Friar Jude reminds us that that faith is an invitation and response where we are called to do our best with the gifts we receive.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, believes that chosenness is for the sake of letting everybody else know they are chosen, too.
Our job is to be who we say we are and who God says we are—carriers of the divine image. “My deepest me is God,” as St. Catherine of Genoa said. I can only imagine how differently our lives, families, and nations would look if we trusted the foundational promise of Christian incarnation. When you can see Christ in all things (including yourself!), you will see and live differently.7
We have an invitation to faith that is our response to hearing the voice of the Good Shepherd.
References
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