How can we be one with the Father? It is a question which continuously occupied my thoughts until I had this memorable conversation with someone.

Our neighbor shared her ill feelings towards her mother. She felt unwanted and unloved by her mother since she was young. She related to me how she was mistreated and neglected. I was teary-eyed as I listened to her stories because I saw and felt her emotions. Even with what had happened, she willingly sacrificed a lot when her mother got sick. She was the one who looked after her. I was moved when she told me that there was a moment when her mother kissed her hands and asked for forgiveness. She forgave her mother, and a week after, her mother died. The pain she had towards her mother vanished because of the forgiveness she was able to give.

Having a forgiving heart is a sign of humility and a grace that can only come from God. It can be said that being forgiving is a great sign of being one with Him. Jesus teaches us how to become a true disciple and molds us after His heart – therefore loving and forgiving others are manifestations of our oneness with Him.

In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus invites us to be one with Him as He is one with the Father. Through Jesus, let us ask the Father to pour on us the grace that we may share in His love and mercy. As we are now in the fourth week of Easter, let us be mindful of the unconditional love and forgiveness that God is generously bestowing upon us. He allowed Jesus to sacrifice His own life for the forgiveness of our sins. Let us always strive to share that salvific love to others by our willingness to love and forgive.

By: Sem. Eric Yabut

Today’s Gospel

Jn 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.”