Known by His Name, Held in His Hand

Have you ever felt the deep desire to belong—to be known, claimed, and loved? In today’s readings, the Word of God reveals something profound and life-defining: that being a Christian is not just about what we believe, but who we are and whose we are. Through the early Church’s missionary zeal, a poetic psalm about divine belonging, and the words of Christ Himself, we are invited to reflect on what it means to carry the name “Christian”—to be a sheep who hears His voice, to be rooted in Zion, and to be securely held in the hands of the Father.

The first reading from Acts of the Apostles offers a historic turning point: the moment in Antioch when Jesus’ followers were first called Christians. This wasn’t merely a label—it was a recognition of an entirely new identity grounded in relationship with the Risen Lord. The Church was growing rapidly, even among the Gentiles, and the grace of God was visibly at work. Barnabas and Saul’s ministry shows us that Christianity was never meant to remain tribal or exclusive; it is universal, missionary, and rooted in fidelity to Christ. Meanwhile, Psalm 87 proclaims Zion as the birthplace of many nations—a poetic prophecy fulfilled in the Church, the new Jerusalem, where all peoples can find their spiritual home.

Finally, in The Gospel of John, Jesus speaks of His sheep—those who recognize His voice and follow Him. In a tense moment of confrontation during the Feast of Dedication, Jesus reveals the truth that His works speak for Him, even when words are rejected. He promises, “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish”. The message is clear: to be called “Christian” is to be known by Christ, to hear Him, to follow Him, and to be eternally secure in His love. What does it mean for you to be known and named by the Lord? How is He calling you to live more fully into that identity today?

First Reading – Acts 11:19–26

When the Name Took Root

The Acts of the Apostles captures the fiery birth of the Church, led by the Holy Spirit and ignited by the Resurrection of Christ. Today’s passage takes us into a pivotal moment—the missionary expansion into Gentile territories, specifically to Antioch, one of the major cities of the Roman world. Written by St. Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, Acts records how the faith spread from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth, fulfilling Jesus’ promise in Acts 1:8: “You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, throughout Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” This reading is historically significant because it describes not just the spread of the Gospel, but the moment when the disciples were first called “Christians”—a name that signals identity, transformation, and divine belonging. Today’s theme of being known by Christ and belonging to Him is beautifully rooted in this early mission moment, when God’s grace claimed hearts across cultural boundaries.

Acts 11:19-26
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

¹⁹ Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews. ²⁰ There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus. ²¹ The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord. ²² The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas [to go] to Antioch. ²³ When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart, ²⁴ for he was a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord. ²⁵ Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul, ²⁶ and when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 19 – “Now those who had been scattered by the persecution that arose because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, preaching the word to no one but Jews.”
After the martyrdom of St. Stephen, believers were dispersed by persecution, unintentionally fulfilling God’s plan to spread the Gospel. While they initially limited their proclamation to fellow Jews, this scattering was providential—it turned persecution into propagation. Antioch, a cosmopolitan city with a large Jewish population, becomes a new frontier for the Church’s mission.

Verse 20 – “There were some Cypriots and Cyrenians among them, however, who came to Antioch and began to speak to the Greeks as well, proclaiming the Lord Jesus.”
Here we witness a groundbreaking shift. For the first time, evangelization extends deliberately to non-Jews. The Good News of Jesus Christ is not just for Israel, but for all nations. This anticipates the full inclusion of Gentiles and confirms God’s universal salvific will.

Verse 21 – “The hand of the Lord was with them and a great number who believed turned to the Lord.”
The phrase “the hand of the Lord” denotes divine favor and intervention. Their efforts bear fruit not because of eloquence or strategy, but because of grace. The Lord Himself is drawing souls—demonstrating that conversion is ultimately the work of God.

Verse 22 – “The news about them reached the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to go to Antioch.”
Jerusalem, the mother Church, remains attentive and discerning. Barnabas, whose name means “son of encouragement,” is sent as a delegate to discern the authenticity of the movement. This also reflects the early Church’s structure of accountability and unity.

Verse 23 – “When he arrived and saw the grace of God, he rejoiced and encouraged them all to remain faithful to the Lord in firmness of heart.”
Barnabas, filled with joy, affirms that what is happening in Antioch is the work of the Holy Spirit. His exhortation—“firmness of heart”—echoes the biblical call to perseverance and fidelity in the midst of trial.

Verse 24 – “For he was a good man, filled with the holy Spirit and faith. And a large number of people was added to the Lord.”
This verse reveals the character of Barnabas, highlighting that true Christian leadership springs from holiness, not authority alone. His witness bears fruit, as the community continues to grow under his guidance.

Verse 25 – “Then he went to Tarsus to look for Saul.”
Recognizing the magnitude of the mission, Barnabas seeks help. Tarsus was Saul’s hometown, and this verse marks a turning point: the reintroduction of Saul (Paul) into active ministry. God’s plan for Paul begins to unfold more fully.

Verse 26 – “And when he had found him he brought him to Antioch. For a whole year they met with the church and taught a large number of people, and it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians.”
This closing verse is monumental. For a full year, Barnabas and Saul catechized the growing community. The name “Christian” is first used here, not as a mere label, but as a recognition of those who belonged to Christ and reflected His life. Their identity is now forever rooted in His.

Teachings

The Catechism of the Catholic Church speaks of the Christian name as both a gift and a call. CCC 436 explains: “The word ‘Christ’ comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew Messiah, which means ‘anointed.’ It became the name proper to Jesus only because he accomplished perfectly the divine mission that ‘Christ’ signifies. In effect, in Israel those consecrated to God for a mission that he gave were anointed in his name.” Thus, to be called “Christian” is to share in Christ’s anointing—His mission, identity, and destiny.

St. Ignatius of Antioch, writing only a few decades after this event, frequently identified himself and his community as “Christians” and warned against any separation from that identity in thought or practice. He wrote, “It is fitting, then, not only to be called Christians, but to be so in reality.” (Letter to the Magnesians, 4). The name is not a superficial tag—it demands transformation and witness. For the early Church, the name was a badge of honor and a call to martyrdom if necessary.

Historically, the Church’s expansion into Gentile lands also signifies a deep theological truth: the universality of salvation. Vatican II reiterates this in Lumen Gentium 13: “All men are called to this catholic unity of the People of God… and to it, in different ways, belong or are ordered: the Catholic faithful, others who believe in Christ, and finally all mankind, called by God’s grace to salvation.” What began in Antioch was not just a geographical mission—it was the beginning of the Church’s identity as a family of all peoples, held together by the name and love of Jesus Christ.

Reflection

What does it mean to you that you bear the name “Christian”? This reading challenges us to consider whether we live in a way that reflects our identity in Christ. Are we known by our love, our faith, and our willingness to share the Gospel across boundaries? Like Barnabas, are we “good, filled with the Holy Spirit and faith”? And like those first believers in Antioch, are we forming communities where the grace of God is evident and souls are added to the Lord? Take time today to reflect on how your life makes visible the reality that you are a Christian—not just in name, but in truth.

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 87

Born of Zion, Belonging to God

Psalm 87 is a short yet profoundly rich psalm attributed to the sons of Korah—a group of Levitical temple musicians who composed hymns exalting God’s holy dwelling. This psalm stands out in the Psalter for its unique emphasis on Zion, not just as a geographic location, but as the spiritual birthplace of the nations. It speaks of a prophetic, universal inclusion—God claiming people from many nations as native citizens of His holy city. In light of today’s theme, this psalm reinforces the truth that identity in God is not determined by ethnicity, lineage, or geography, but by divine adoption and grace. Just as the believers in Antioch were first called Christians, so too does Psalm 87 proclaim the mystery of belonging to God and being rooted in His holy presence. Zion here becomes a symbol of the Church—the new Jerusalem—where God gathers His children from all nations.

Psalm 87
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Zion the True Birthplace
¹ A psalm of the Korahites. A song.

    His foundation is on holy mountains,
² The Lord loves the gates of Zion
    more than any dwelling in Jacob.
³ Glorious things are said of you,
    O city of God!
Selah

⁴ Rahab and Babylon I count
    among those who know me.
See, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia,
    “This one was born there.”
⁵ And of Zion it will be said:
    “Each one was born in it.”
The Most High will establish it;
⁶ the Lord notes in the register of the peoples:
    “This one was born there.”
Selah
⁷ So singers and dancers:
    “All my springs are in you.”

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 1 – “His foundation is on holy mountains,”
This verse opens with a declaration of stability and sacredness. The “holy mountains” refer to the hills upon which Jerusalem was built. The use of “foundation” evokes the image of God deliberately establishing His dwelling place on firm, chosen ground. It echoes the reality that the Church is built upon Christ, the cornerstone, and the apostolic faith.

Verse 2 – “The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than any dwelling in Jacob.”
Zion was the name for the fortress of David and later became synonymous with Jerusalem, the city of God. The gates represent access to God’s presence. This verse highlights God’s particular affection for Zion—not as favoritism, but as the place from which salvation history flows, culminating in the Incarnation and the birth of the Church.

Verse 3 – “Glorious things are said of you, O city of God!”
Zion is not only loved by God but exalted by the nations. The “glorious things” likely refer to its prophetic destiny—the place of the Messiah, the temple, and ultimately, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. This verse anticipates the universal praise Zion receives as the spiritual mother of all peoples.

Verse 4 – “Rahab and Babylon I count among those who know me. See, Philistia and Tyre, with Ethiopia: ‘This one was born there.’”
This verse is nothing short of revolutionary. The psalmist lists Gentile nations—Rahab (Egypt), Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia—longtime enemies or outsiders to Israel. Yet God declares them as those who “know” Him and even more shockingly, as if born in Zion. This reveals God’s desire for the salvation of all and prefigures the Church’s universality.

Verse 5 – “And of Zion it will be said: ‘Each one was born in it.’ The Most High will establish it;”
Zion becomes the birthplace of every redeemed soul. Regardless of one’s earthly origin, to belong to God is to be spiritually born in His city. This verse beautifully supports today’s message: that our deepest identity is found not in where we come from, but in Whose we are.

Verse 6 – “The Lord notes in the register of the peoples: ‘This one was born there.’”
God Himself records this spiritual citizenship. Like a divine census, He marks those who are His—those who belong to His covenant family. It echoes the idea from Revelation 21:27 of the “book of life,” where the names of the redeemed are written.

Verse 7 – “So singers and dancers: ‘All my springs are in you.’”
The closing verse bursts with joy. “Springs” symbolize life, vitality, and grace. All that gives life, all that sustains the soul, flows from Zion—from the presence of God. This reflects the joy of those who belong to Him, whose identity and source are rooted in Him.

Teachings

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the Church is the fulfillment of Zion—the gathering place of all peoples into the family of God. CCC 845 states: “To reunite all his children, scattered and led astray by sin, the Father willed to call the whole of humanity together into his Son’s Church. The Church is the place where humanity must rediscover its unity and salvation.” Psalm 87 prophetically prefigures this call to universal inclusion and restoration.

St. Augustine, reflecting on this psalm, saw Zion as an image of the heavenly Jerusalem—the Church in its eternal form. In City of God, he writes: “Zion is the city in which all are born who are reborn in Christ. The enemies of old are now fellow citizens by grace.” This is precisely what the Acts of the Apostles illustrates: God is making one people out of many nations.

Historically, the Church has always viewed psalms like this as a foundation for evangelization. The early missionaries, like Barnabas and Paul, would have seen themselves as bringing the nations into their true birthplace—Zion, now fulfilled in the Church. As Lumen Gentium 1 declares: “The Church, in Christ, is in the nature of a sacrament—a sign and instrument, that is, of communion with God and of unity among all men.” Psalm 87 affirms this divine desire to gather the world into the communion of saints.

Reflection

Do you see yourself as born in Zion? This psalm invites us to root our identity not in our nationality, career, or past, but in the love of God who calls us His own. Like the Gentile nations welcomed into Zion, we are not outsiders—we are chosen, included, and written into God’s book. Do you rejoice in the Church as your spiritual home, the place where “all your springs” are found? Take time today to thank God for giving you a new identity in Christ. Let your joy be like the psalmist’s—overflowing in song and gratitude. What would change in your life if you truly believed your name was written in the register of Zion?

Holy Gospel – John 10:22–30

Held in His Voice, Safe in His Hands

The setting of today’s Gospel is rich with symbolism and tension. It takes place during the Feast of the Dedication—known to us today as Hanukkah—celebrating the rededication of the Temple after it had been defiled by pagan invaders. Jesus walks in Solomon’s Portico, a part of the Temple historically associated with teaching and judgment. The Jewish leaders gather around Him, pressing Him to reveal His identity clearly. This moment is more than a theological debate; it’s a confrontation over authority, identity, and truth. In The Gospel of John, Jesus repeatedly makes bold “I AM” statements that link Him to the divine name of God revealed to Moses. In today’s passage, He makes a declaration that leaves no ambiguity: “The Father and I are one.” Within the context of today’s readings, this Gospel confirms that being a Christian—being one of Jesus’ sheep—means hearing His voice, following Him, and belonging so securely to Him that no power can snatch us from His hand.

John 10:22-30
New American Bible (Revised Edition)

Feast of the Dedication. ²² The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter. ²³ And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon. ²⁴ So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” ²⁵ Jesus answered them, “I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me. ²⁶ But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep. ²⁷ My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand. ³⁰ The Father and I are one.”

Detailed Exegesis

Verse 22 – “The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.”
This detail grounds the event in a historical and spiritual context. The Feast of Dedication commemorates the purification of the Second Temple by the Maccabees in 164 BC. Jesus, the new Temple, stands in the very courts that were once defiled, now facing those who would reject Him. “Winter” may also symbolize the spiritual coldness of unbelief.

Verse 23 – “And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.”
Solomon’s Portico was a covered colonnade along the east side of the Temple, where rabbis often taught. Jesus chooses this place of tradition and wisdom to make a definitive statement about His identity, positioning Himself as the fulfillment of both temple and Torah.

Verse 24 – “So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.’”
This is not a sincere question, but a demand loaded with suspicion. The Greek phrase used here suggests a hostile encirclement. Though Jesus has spoken and acted with divine authority, they refuse to accept Him unless He meets their expectations.

Verse 25 – “Jesus answered them, ‘I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.’”
Jesus appeals to both word and deed. His miracles, teachings, and fulfillment of prophecy already serve as undeniable witness. Yet faith is not just a conclusion based on evidence—it is a gift, and their hearts remain closed to it.

Verse 26 – “But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.”
This verse is both sobering and illuminating. Belonging to Christ is not merely an intellectual assent—it is a spiritual disposition. To be a sheep of Christ is to be open, docile, and attuned to His voice. The inability to believe is not just a lack of understanding, but a refusal to listen.

Verse 27 – “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
Jesus describes the intimacy of the Christian relationship: hearing, being known, and following. These are not abstract concepts, but deeply personal realities. The Good Shepherd knows each of His sheep individually, lovingly, and permanently.

Verse 28 – “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.”
This is one of the most consoling promises in Scripture. The eternal security of the believer lies not in our strength but in the hand of Christ. His grip is unbreakable, not because of our faithfulness, but because of His love.

Verse 29 – “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.”
Jesus underscores the unity of divine action. The Father and the Son share one will, one mission, one care for the sheep. The believer is doubly held—by the Son and by the Father, wrapped in an eternal embrace.

Verse 30 – “The Father and I are one.”
This is the climax of the passage. Jesus does not simply claim to be close to God or favored by Him. He declares perfect unity—homoousios, one in essence. This is why the Church would later proclaim this truth at Nicaea, forming the heart of the Creed.

Teachings

The Catechism of the Catholic Church affirms the unity of Jesus and the Father in CCC 590: “Jesus gave scandal above all when he identified his merciful conduct toward sinners with God’s own attitude toward them. He went so far as to hint that he himself was the eternal Son of God. To be sure, Jesus did not reveal the mystery of his identity in all its fullness until after his Resurrection. But he nevertheless made it understood gradually during his public life.” This Gospel passage is one of the clearest moments where Jesus makes His divine identity known—and is rejected for it.

St. Cyril of Alexandria commented on this verse: “When Christ says ‘The Father and I are one,’ He speaks of a unity of essence and nature. He does not say that they are ‘one person,’ but rather that the Father and the Son are of the same divine nature.” This distinction is crucial to our Trinitarian faith. It means that Jesus is not merely a representative of God—He is God.

This truth was so central that the early Church preserved it with great care through the Nicene Creed, professing: “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ… God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father.” The Greek word consubstantial (homoousios) encapsulates the truth Jesus proclaims in this Gospel. To believe this is to truly belong to Christ’s flock.

Reflection

Do you know the voice of your Shepherd? Do you hear it in Scripture, in prayer, in the stillness of your heart? This Gospel calls us to cultivate a life where the voice of Jesus becomes clearer than the noise of the world. To be His sheep is to trust that we are held, known, and safe in the Father’s hand. Are you following Him, even when the path is unclear? Let today’s Gospel be your assurance: if you belong to Christ, nothing—no fear, no sin, no trial—can snatch you from His hand. Spend time today listening. What is Jesus saying to you? How is He calling you to trust more deeply in His divine embrace?

Called by Name, Anchored in Love

Today’s readings offer us a sacred mosaic of identity, belonging, and divine intimacy. From Antioch to Zion to Solomon’s Portico, we see a God who is not distant or abstract, but personal—a God who calls us by name, gathers us into His Church, and holds us securely in His hand. In Acts, we witness the momentous moment when followers of Jesus are first called “Christians,” marking a new identity not built on race or background but on grace and communion with Christ. In Psalm 87, the gates of Zion swing wide open to every nation, declaring that anyone reborn in God is truly at home in His city. And in The Gospel of John, Jesus assures us that His sheep are not only known by Him—they are eternally protected, cherished, and united with the Father.

Do you believe that you are known, chosen, and held by the Lord? These aren’t just poetic ideas—they are divine truths meant to shape how we live, pray, and love. You are not nameless in the eyes of heaven. You are written in the register of Zion, a citizen of God’s Kingdom, a beloved sheep of the Good Shepherd. Let today be a turning point where you stop living as if you’re on the outside looking in. You have been called a Christian. You belong.

So walk in that truth today. Open your ears to His voice. Root your joy in Zion, and let your faith reflect the radiant love of Christ to others. And when you feel lost, afraid, or unworthy, remember His words: “No one can take them out of my hand.” You are His. Forever.

Engage with Us!

We would love to hear how today’s readings are stirring your heart. How is God speaking to you through His Word today? Share your reflections, questions, or prayers in the comments below. Your voice may be the encouragement someone else needs.

Reflection Questions:

First Reading – Acts 11:19–26
How does it change your perspective to know that you bear the name “Christian”? Where might the Lord be calling you to evangelize outside your comfort zone—like the believers in Antioch?

Responsorial Psalm – Psalm 87
Do you feel at home in the Church—as if you were “born in Zion”? Where are the “springs” in your life right now—those sources of grace that nourish your soul?

Holy Gospel – John 10:22–30
How do you hear the voice of Jesus in your daily life? What helps you trust that you are safely held in the hands of the Father and the Son?

Let’s walk together as Christians who are known, named, and loved by God. Live this day with courage, faith, and joy—and do everything with the love and mercy Jesus taught us. You are His. Now go, and let your life reflect it.

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