Reflection for April 28 Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter: John 10:22-30

Gospel: John 10:22-30

The feast of the Dedication was taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe.  

The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”

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Reflection:

How can we have a true and personal encounter with Jesus?

We are invited to abide by what He tells us in Scripture—to remain in His Word, to trust in His voice, and to anchor our lives in His truth. When He tells us that He and the Father are one, we are called to believe—not with hesitation, but with a humble and trusting heart. For His words are never empty; they are living, powerful, and always confirmed by the fullness of Scripture.

What, then, sets us apart as believers? When we open our hearts in faith, we receive the fullness of the grace and power that flow from Jesus. Our lives begin to change. Our faith grows deeper and stronger. And we, in turn, become instruments of His love and goodness, bringing light and hope into our families, our communities, and our everyday encounters.

Yet we must also reflect honestly: when we take Jesus lightly or fail to truly believe, we miss out on these graces. Our faith weakens, and we become more vulnerable to doubt, fear, and the many forces that pull us away from God. Without a living faith, we struggle to stand firm.

So what is the path for us to truly believe? It begins with humility. We are called to bow our hearts before Jesus, to accept with faith every word He speaks to us in Scripture, and to faithfully encounter Him in Holy Mass—especially on Sundays, where He nourishes us with His presence. In these moments, we do not merely observe; we participate, we listen, and we are transformed.

As we take these steps, however small they may seem, something new begins within us. A renewed life unfolds—a life rooted in Christ, sustained by His grace, and guided by His love.

Jesus is always reaching out to us, patiently inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him. The question is no longer whether He is present—but whether we are willing to respond.

Will we humble ourselves, believe in His Word without doubt, and allow Him to truly transform our lives starting today?—Marino J. Dasmarinas