“At that time the festival of the Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple, in the portico of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’ Jesus answered, ‘I have told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name testify to me; but you do not believe, because you do not belong to my sheep. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. What my Father has given me is greater than all else, and no one can snatch it out of the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.’” (John 10:22-30)  Happy Hanukkah!  That is not something that we normally hear in May, but that is the festival of the Dedication referenced in this week’s Gospel lesson.  That festival is the celebration of the rededication of the Temple after its profanation by the Greeks about 165 years before Jesus’ birth.  That wonderful victory also brought about the short-lived restoration of a Jewish king.  The Temple becomes holy again and a Hebrew King returns to the throne.  John does not see it as a coincidence that Jesus has this confrontation with some Jewish leaders on one of the porches of the Temple.  John is inviting us to contemplate this amazing event: here is the true Lord who leaves the Temple’s Holy of Holies to go way out on the porch in order to confront his people.  Here is the true King who leaves his throne in order to serve his people.  Isn’t it amazing how great the Shepherd’s love is for his sheep that he goes to any length in order to seek and to save the lost?  Our passage closes with Jesus startling claim: “The Father and I are one.”  We cannot be indifferent to that statement and it seems to me, must respond in one of two ways; either with outrage or with great joy.  In our current time of war, inflation and great domestic disagreements, I invite you to center yourself in this remarkable truth: the Holy One has gone out on the porch to find you; the King has enlisted you through his sacrificial service.  And because of that, nothing, absolutely nothing can snatch you from God’s hand!  Have a great week!