Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Easter
(Acts 11:19-26; John 10:22-30)
The railroad in a small town long ago announced that it
needed to fill a position. Soon a
roomful of applicants entered the office anxiously hoping for an
interview. After a while without anyone
being called, a tapping noise was heard in the background. One person rose from his chair and walked to
the receptionist desk. Then a sign was
posted that the position was filled. The
people in the room became angry not to be given an opportunity to display their
skills. But the railroad officer told
them that the tapping noise they heard was Morse code inviting anyone who
understood the message to claim the job.
Today’s gospel tells a similar story.
Jesus explains to his listeners that only those people given
him by the Father will recognize that he is the Messiah. Others may see his marvelous deeds but will
not come to him because they cannot recognize his voice. Its subtlety is not tonal but conceptual. His followers realize that Jesus is not a
Messiah who will free the nation of Roman domination. He is the one who will liberate them from tyranny
of sin.
If we hear Jesus’ voice, we will understand that he comes
not to make Catholic morality public law.
Rather he intends to give us access to eternal life. Yes, for the common good we press for the
prohibition of abortion and the abolition of capital punishment. However, we should not be discouraged if our
efforts are not always rewarded. We know
that being faithful to Jesus, he will give us the fulness of life as promised.
