JOHN 10:22–30
THE FATHER AND I ARE ONE: THE SECURITY OF THE SHEEP
BRIEF INTERPRETATION
Text – John 10:22–30
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 Christ, 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.”
Historical and Jewish Context
The Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah) commemorated the rededication of the Temple after its desecration and celebrated God’s saving power and faithfulness. It was a feast associated with light and divine deliverance, making Jesus’ words particularly significant in this setting. Solomon’s Portico was a place of teaching and debate. The demand for a clear declaration reflects messianic expectation, yet also resistance, since Jesus’ works already testified to His identity.
Catholic Theological Perspective
This passage contains one of the most explicit affirmations of Jesus’ divinity. Catholic theology understands “The Father and I are one” as a statement of unity of essence, not merely agreement of purpose. Jesus reveals the absolute security of believers who belong to Him: eternal life is a gift guarded by both the Son and the Father. Faith is shown as relational—hearing, knowing, and following Christ. The double assurance of the Son’s hand and the Father’s hand emphasizes divine protection and perseverance in grace.
Parallels in Scripture
Deuteronomy 32:39 – God’s sovereign power to save.
Isaiah 43:13 – None can snatch from God’s hand.
Psalm 95:7 – The people as sheep of God’s hand.
John 17:11 – Kept in the Father’s name.
Romans 8:38–39 – Nothing can separate from God’s love.
Key Terms
Feast of Dedication – Celebration of God’s saving power.
My sheep – Believers who belong to Christ.
Hear my voice – Faithful responsiveness.
Eternal life – Life shared with God forever.
One – Unity of the Father and the Son.
Catholic Liturgical Significance
This Gospel is proclaimed during the Easter season and in Ordinary Time, emphasizing Christ’s divine identity and the security of those who follow Him. The Church uses this passage to strengthen faith in God’s faithful protection.
Conclusion
John 10:22–30 reveals Jesus as the divine Son, one with the Father, who gives eternal life and unfailing security to His sheep. Believers are invited to trust fully in His voice, His promise, and His divine unity with the Father.
Reflection
Do I listen attentively to the voice of Christ?
Do I trust in the security Christ promises?
How does faith in Jesus’ unity with the Father shape my life?
Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, one with the Father, I place my life in Your hands. Strengthen my faith to hear Your voice and follow You always. Keep me secure in Your love and grant me the eternal life You promise. Amen.
DETAILED INTERPRETATION
INTRODUCTION
The passage Gospel of John 10:22–30 is set during the Feast of the Dedication (Hanukkah) in Jerusalem, a winter festival commemorating the rededication of the Temple after its desecration. This feast celebrated God’s faithfulness and the restoration of true worship. Against this backdrop, Jesus walks in the Temple area and is confronted by Jewish leaders who demand a clear answer about His identity. Their request is not a sincere search for truth but a challenge aimed at forcing Jesus into a statement that could be used against Him.
Jesus responds by pointing not only to His words but to His works. His sheep recognize His voice, follow Him, and receive eternal life. In Jewish tradition, God alone was seen as the ultimate protector of Israel, the One from whose hand no one could snatch the faithful. When Jesus declares that no one can take His sheep from His hand—and then adds, “The Father and I are one”—He makes an extraordinary claim of unity with God, revealing both His divine authority and His intimate relationship with the Father.
Jn 10:22 — “The feast of the Dedication was then taking place in Jerusalem. It was winter.”
This verse quietly but decisively shifts the setting, anchoring Jesus’ teaching in a precise liturgical and historical moment. What follows will unfold under the shadow of memory, identity, and renewed confrontation.
“The feast of the Dedication” refers to Hanukkah, the celebration of the rededication of the Temple after its desecration. It commemorates purification, fidelity, and God’s dwelling restored among His people. By placing Jesus here, John invites the reader to consider a deeper question: where does God truly dwell now?
“Was taking place in Jerusalem” emphasizes sacred space. Jerusalem is the city of the Temple, the heart of Jewish worship. Jesus stands at the center of Israel’s religious life, not outside it. His presence there intensifies the significance of His claims.
“It was winter” is more than a seasonal note. Winter evokes cold, barrenness, and tension. Spiritually, it mirrors the hardened hearts and growing opposition surrounding Jesus. The climate reflects the moment: clarity has been offered, yet resistance remains.
This verse prepares for a decisive confrontation. During a feast that celebrates restored worship and light in darkness, Jesus—true Light and true Temple—will be pressed to declare His identity openly.
In the flow of John 9–10, the irony deepens. As Israel remembers God’s faithfulness to the Temple, God Himself stands among them in the flesh, still questioned and challenged.
For believers today, this verse reminds us that Christ enters our liturgical seasons and historical moments. He reveals Himself not outside our traditions, but from within them—often when hearts are cold and faith is tested.
Historical and Jewish Context
The Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah) celebrated the cleansing of the Temple in 164 BC after its profanation. It emphasized fidelity to God and the purity of worship.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Christ is the true Temple where God dwells among humanity. Liturgical feasts find their fulfillment in Him (cf. CCC 586, 593).
Key Terms
Feast of the Dedication — remembrance of restored worship
Jerusalem — center of God’s dwelling and covenant
Winter — time of tension and spiritual cold
Conclusion
John 10:22 situates Jesus at a moment rich in memory and meaning. In a season celebrating God’s dwelling, the true Temple stands present, awaiting recognition.
Reflection
Do I recognize Christ as God’s dwelling among us, especially in seasons of spiritual coldness?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, true Temple and Light in winter’s darkness, help me recognize Your presence within the life of the Church and the seasons of my own journey. Warm my heart with faith and fidelity. Amen.
Jn 10:23 — “And Jesus walked about in the temple area on the Portico of Solomon.”
This verse quietly positions Jesus at the very heart of Israel’s sacred space while also highlighting the growing tension around Him. His movement is calm and deliberate, even as opposition gathers. Revelation does not withdraw; it stands openly in the place of encounter.
“And Jesus walked about” conveys freedom and composure. Jesus is not hiding or retreating. He moves with authority and purpose, unhurried by hostility. His presence is steady, suggesting confidence rooted in His identity and mission.
“In the temple area” underscores the gravity of the moment. The Temple is the center of worship, sacrifice, and divine presence. Jesus stands where God is sought most intensely, implicitly claiming a right to be there—not as a visitor only, but as one who belongs.
“On the Portico of Solomon” adds historical and symbolic weight. This colonnade was associated with teaching, wisdom, and tradition. By walking there, Jesus places Himself within Israel’s sacred memory while also inviting judgment upon it: will the wisdom of God be recognized when it appears?
The setting prepares for confrontation. Jesus is accessible, visible, and within reach of those who question Him. He does not provoke, yet He does not avoid. Truth remains present, even when it will soon be challenged directly.
In the wider flow of John 9–10, this verse reinforces contrast. The true Shepherd stands within the Temple, yet many guardians of that space fail to recognize Him. The structure remains, but discernment falters.
For believers today, this verse reminds us that Christ meets us in places of worship and tradition. Yet proximity alone does not guarantee recognition. Faith requires openness, not merely presence.
Historical and Jewish Context
Solomon’s Portico was a covered walkway on the eastern side of the Temple, often used for teaching and gathering. It symbolized continuity with Israel’s wisdom tradition.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Christ fulfills and surpasses the Temple. He teaches within it, yet reveals Himself as the living presence of God among His people (cf. CCC 593, 586).
Key Terms
Temple area — center of worship and divine presence
Portico of Solomon — place of teaching and tradition
Walked about — calm authority and openness
Conclusion
John 10:23 places Jesus visibly within the sacred heart of Israel. The true Shepherd stands in God’s house, inviting recognition and response.
Reflection
Am I truly attentive to Christ’s presence within sacred spaces, or do familiarity and routine dull my recognition?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, present in the midst of Your people, open my eyes to recognize You where You stand before me—in worship, tradition, and daily life. Grant me faith that sees beyond appearances. Amen.
Jn 10:24 — “So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, ‘How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.’”
This verse brings the growing tension to a direct and confrontational question. Jesus is no longer merely discussed or evaluated from a distance; He is surrounded and pressed for an explicit declaration. The moment of decision draws near.
“So the Jews gathered around him” suggests encirclement rather than simple curiosity. The movement is collective and intense. Jesus is placed at the center, not for dialogue alone, but for interrogation. Truth is now demanded under pressure.
“And said to him” highlights that the initiative comes from them. The question is framed as reasonable, yet it carries an edge of impatience and challenge. It is less a request for understanding and more a demand for clarity on their terms.
“How long are you going to keep us in suspense?” reveals inner resistance. Jesus has spoken, taught, and acted clearly, yet they claim uncertainty. The suspense does not arise from lack of revelation, but from unwillingness to accept its implications.
“If you are the Christ, tell us plainly” appears sincere, but it masks a deeper problem. Jesus has already revealed His identity through words and works. What is lacking is not plainness, but faith. They seek a declaration detached from obedience and listening.
This verse exposes a recurring human temptation: demanding certainty while refusing commitment. They want a clear label without the cost of discipleship. Jesus will soon show that plain speech alone cannot produce belief.
In the wider context of John 9–10, the irony is sharp. The Shepherd’s voice has been clear to the sheep, yet those who claim authority remain unconvinced. Recognition depends not on volume, but on belonging.
For believers today, this verse challenges superficial approaches to faith. Christ does not reveal Himself to satisfy curiosity alone. He reveals Himself to be followed.
Historical and Jewish Context
Messianic expectations were intense, especially during feast times. Public claims to be the Christ carried political and religious consequences, increasing tension and scrutiny.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that faith is a response to God’s self-revelation through words and deeds. Demanding proof without openness of heart leads to unbelief (cf. CCC 548, 156).
Key Terms
Gathered around — pressure and confrontation
Suspense — refusal to accept revealed truth
Christ — the awaited Messiah
Plainly — demand for declaration without commitment
Conclusion
John 10:24 reveals that unbelief can disguise itself as a demand for clarity. Jesus has spoken plainly enough for those willing to hear.
Reflection
Do I ask Christ for clarity while resisting the obedience His truth requires?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, free me from demanding answers without surrender. Give me a heart ready to believe, follow, and trust Your revealed truth, even when it challenges my expectations. Amen.
Jn 10:25 — “Jesus answered them, ‘I told you and you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify to me.’”
This verse exposes the true root of unbelief. Jesus responds calmly but firmly, revealing that the problem is not lack of revelation, but refusal of faith. What they demand has already been given—yet it has not been received.
“I told you and you do not believe” is a direct indictment. Jesus has spoken openly, consistently, and truthfully. Their unbelief is not intellectual confusion but moral resistance. Hearing without believing becomes culpable.
“The works I do” shifts attention from words to actions. Jesus points to His deeds as concrete manifestations of His identity. Healing, giving sight, restoring life—these are not neutral acts, but signs filled with meaning.
“In my Father’s name” reveals the source and authority of His mission. Jesus does not act independently or for self-glory. His works flow from the Father’s will and presence. To reject these works is to reject the One who sent Him.
“Testify to me” introduces the language of witness. The works speak objectively. They stand as living testimony, even when words are dismissed. Signs demand interpretation, and here their meaning is clear: they reveal who Jesus is.
In the immediate context, the reference to works recalls the healing of the man born blind (Jn 9). That sign still stands unresolved before them. The evidence remains, even as belief is withheld.
For believers today, this verse reminds us that faith engages both word and deed. Christ continues to testify through His works in the Church, the sacraments, and transformed lives. Unbelief often persists not for lack of evidence, but for lack of surrender.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish law, testimony was established by witnesses and deeds. Jesus appeals to works as legitimate and authoritative witnesses to His divine mission.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Christ’s miracles are signs revealing His identity and confirming His mission. They invite faith but do not coerce it (cf. CCC 547–548).
Key Terms
I told you — sufficient revelation already given
Do not believe — refusal of faith
Works — signs revealing identity
Father’s name — divine authority and mission
Testify — witness calling for decision
Conclusion
John 10:25 reveals that unbelief persists not because Christ is unclear, but because hearts resist the testimony already given.
Reflection
Do I truly allow Christ’s words and works to shape my faith, or do I still resist believing fully?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You have spoken and acted with divine clarity. Open my heart to believe Your word, recognize Your works, and follow You with trusting obedience. Amen.
Jn 10:26 — “But you do not believe, because you are not among my sheep.”
This verse penetrates to the core of the dispute. Jesus reverses the logic of His opponents: unbelief is not the result of insufficient proof; it reveals a deeper issue of belonging. Faith flows from relationship, not from argument alone.
“But you do not believe” reiterates the diagnosis. Despite words spoken and works done, belief has not taken root. The obstacle is not evidence, but disposition. Revelation has been given; reception has failed.
“Because you are not among my sheep” explains why belief is absent. In the Shepherd’s imagery, the sheep are those who belong, listen, and respond. Belonging precedes understanding. Recognition arises from relationship.
This statement is not fatalistic exclusion, but revelatory clarity. Jesus does not deny the possibility of conversion; He exposes the present reality. To be among the sheep is to be open, receptive, and responsive to His voice.
In the flow of John 9–10, the contrast is vivid. The man born blind, once excluded, becomes a true sheep through faith. Those who claim sight and authority exclude themselves by refusing to listen.
For believers today, this verse is a sober reminder that faith is relational. Intellectual engagement matters, but belonging—living attentiveness to Christ’s voice—comes first. Discipleship is not merely agreement; it is communion.
Historical and Jewish Context
Shepherd imagery in Israel emphasized belonging and obedience. Sheep were defined not by origin alone, but by hearing and following the shepherd’s call.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that faith is a gift received through grace and freely embraced. Belonging to Christ involves openness to His voice and life (cf. CCC 153, 541).
Key Terms
Do not believe — refusal of faith
Because — cause rooted in disposition
My sheep — those who belong to Christ
Conclusion
John 10:26 reveals that belief springs from belonging. Those who truly belong to Christ recognize Him and trust His voice.
Reflection
Do I live as one who belongs to Christ—listening, trusting, and following—or do I remain at a distance?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, draw me ever more deeply into belonging to You. Open my heart to hear Your voice and strengthen my faith to follow You faithfully. Amen.
Jn 10:27 — “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”
This verse offers a serene and decisive summary of true discipleship. After confronting unbelief, Jesus now describes the living reality of those who belong to Him. Faith is presented not as theory, but as a relationship expressed through listening, being known, and following.
“My sheep hear my voice” identifies the defining mark of belonging. Hearing is more than physical sound; it is receptive obedience. The sheep are attentive and responsive. Recognition of the Shepherd’s voice arises from relationship, not compulsion.
“I know them” reaffirms intimate personal knowledge. This knowing is loving, faithful, and constant. Each sheep is known individually, not absorbed into anonymity. Identity flows from being known by Christ.
“And they follow me” completes the pattern. Hearing leads to being known, and being known leads to following. Discipleship is movement. Faith expresses itself in direction, choice, and perseverance. Following implies trust, surrender, and ongoing commitment.
This verse stands in deliberate contrast to those who refuse to believe. The difference is not intelligence or status, but responsiveness. Sheep follow because they trust the Shepherd’s voice.
Within the wider context of John 9–10, this statement quietly honors the healed man. He heard, recognized, and followed—even when it cost him exclusion. He embodies what it means to be a sheep of Christ.
For believers today, this verse serves as a spiritual examination. Christianity is not merely knowing about Christ, but living in attentiveness to His voice and walking in His way.
Historical and Jewish Context
In ancient shepherding, sheep recognized the unique voice of their shepherd and followed him closely. This image conveyed trust, familiarity, and daily dependence.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that discipleship involves hearing Christ’s word, being known by Him through grace, and following Him in obedience and love (cf. CCC 764, 787, 1694).
Key Terms
My sheep — those who belong to Christ
Hear my voice — attentive faith and obedience
Know — personal, loving relationship
Follow — lived discipleship
Conclusion
John 10:27 presents the essence of Christian life: hearing Christ, being known by Him, and following Him faithfully.
Reflection
Do I truly listen for Christ’s voice, and does my daily life reflect that I am following Him?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, help me hear Your voice clearly, rest in being known by You, and follow You faithfully wherever You lead. Amen.
Jn 10:28 — “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish. No one can take them out of my hand.”
This verse reveals the promise and security that flow from belonging to the Good Shepherd. Having described the sheep who hear, are known, and follow, Jesus now declares what He gives them: life that death cannot destroy and protection that no power can undo.
“I give them eternal life” places the initiative entirely with Jesus. Eternal life is not earned or achieved; it is given. It is not merely future survival, but participation in divine life beginning now and fulfilled beyond death.
“And they shall never perish” expresses absolute assurance. The language is emphatic and unconditional. For those who belong to Christ, destruction does not have the final word. Death, sin, and loss are not ultimate.
“No one can take them out of my hand” conveys protection and authority. The image of the hand signifies power, possession, and care. The sheep are not merely guided; they are held. Their security rests not in their strength, but in the Shepherd’s grasp.
This verse stands as one of the strongest declarations of assurance in the Gospel. The safety of the sheep depends on who holds them, not on external circumstances or internal weakness.
In the context of John 9–10, this promise comforts those who have been cast out by human authority. Though excluded from the synagogue, they are securely held by Christ. What others take away, Jesus restores and surpasses.
For believers today, this verse offers deep consolation. Faith does not eliminate struggle, but it grounds life in unshakeable hope. To belong to Christ is to live held, guarded, and promised life beyond all loss.
Historical and Jewish Context
In biblical imagery, God’s hand symbolizes saving power and faithful protection (cf. Is 43:13). Jesus applies this divine role to Himself.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that Christ grants eternal life to His faithful and preserves them in grace, calling them to persevere in trust and fidelity (cf. CCC 1023, 1037).
Key Terms
Eternal life — participation in divine life
Never perish — definitive victory over death
My hand — sovereign protection and care
Conclusion
John 10:28 proclaims the unshakeable security of those who belong to Christ. Held in His hand, they are promised life that nothing can steal away.
Reflection
Do I live with the confidence that my life is held securely in Christ’s hands, even amid fear or uncertainty?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, Good Shepherd, thank You for the gift of eternal life and for holding me securely in Your hand. Strengthen my trust in Your protection and help me live in hope and fidelity. Amen.
Jn 10:29 — “My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one can take them out of the Father’s hand.”
This verse deepens the assurance given in the previous line by grounding the security of the sheep in the supreme authority of the Father. What Jesus promised in His own hand is now affirmed in the Father’s hand, revealing unity of will, power, and protection.
“My Father, who has given them to me” reveals the origin of belonging. The sheep are not self-chosen or self-secured; they are a gift from the Father to the Son. Salvation begins in the Father’s initiative and loving will.
“Is greater than all” declares absolute sovereignty. No rival power—human, spiritual, or cosmic—stands above the Father. This statement removes every fear that something stronger might undo God’s saving purpose.
“And no one can take them out of the Father’s hand” repeats the promise of security, now at its highest level. What is held by the Father Himself cannot be seized or lost. The hand of God signifies ultimate authority, faithfulness, and unbreakable care.
Together with verse 28, this statement reveals a profound unity: the sheep are held in the Son’s hand and in the Father’s hand. Protection is not divided or uncertain; it is shared fully within divine communion.
In the unfolding tension of John 10, this verse reassures believers facing hostility and exclusion. Human authorities may expel, threaten, or condemn—but they cannot undo what the Father holds.
For believers today, this verse anchors hope beyond all instability. Our perseverance does not rest on fragile human effort alone, but on the Father’s supreme power and unwavering fidelity.
Historical and Jewish Context
In the Hebrew Scriptures, God’s hand symbolizes supreme power and covenant faithfulness (cf. Dt 33:3; Is 41:10). To be in God’s hand meant absolute security.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that salvation is sustained by the Father’s grace and power. Believers are called to trust in God’s fidelity and persevere in faith (cf. CCC 257, 759, 1814).
Key Terms
My Father — source of salvation and authority
Given them — divine initiative and gift
Greater than all — supreme sovereignty
Father’s hand — ultimate protection and fidelity
Conclusion
John 10:29 proclaims the highest assurance of faith. Those given by the Father to the Son are held by divine power that nothing can overcome.
Reflection
Do I entrust my life fully to the Father’s hands, especially when circumstances feel uncertain or threatening?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, greater than all, I thank You for holding my life securely in Your hands. Strengthen my trust in Your power and fidelity, and help me persevere in faith until the end. Amen.
Jn 10:30 — “The Father and I are one.”
This verse stands as the summit of the Good Shepherd discourse and one of the most profound declarations in the Gospel. With stark simplicity, Jesus reveals the deepest truth behind His authority, His protection of the sheep, and His power to give eternal life.
“The Father and I” distinguishes persons without separation. Jesus does not dissolve Himself into the Father, nor does He speak as a mere agent. He speaks as Son, in relationship, communion, and shared mission with the Father.
“Are one” expresses unity of being, will, and action. This is not mere agreement or moral harmony. In the immediate context—holding the sheep securely, giving eternal life, exercising divine protection—this unity is unmistakably divine. What the Father does, the Son does. What belongs to God belongs to Christ.
This statement explains everything that precedes it. The sheep are safe because the Son’s hand and the Father’s hand are one. Eternal life is secure because it flows from divine unity, not delegated authority alone.
The reaction that follows in the next verses confirms the meaning. Jesus’ listeners understand the claim clearly—not as metaphor, but as a claim to equality with God. What is spoken quietly here will provoke explosive response.
In the wider context of John 9–10, the irony is striking. While religious leaders argue over authority and identity, the true unity of God stands before them in flesh. The Shepherd is not merely sent by God; He shares God’s very being.
For believers today, this verse is foundational for faith, worship, and trust. Our salvation rests not on a distant intermediary, but on the living unity of Father and Son. To trust Christ is to trust God Himself.
Historical and Jewish Context
In Jewish monotheism, unity belonged to God alone (cf. Dt 6:4). Jesus’ claim would be understood as radical and unprecedented within this framework.
Catholic Theological Perspective
The Church teaches that the Father and the Son are distinct persons sharing one divine nature. This verse is central to Trinitarian faith (cf. CCC 253, 262, 465).
Key Terms
Father — source within the Trinity
I — the Son, fully divine
One — unity of divine essence and will
Conclusion
John 10:30 reveals the ultimate foundation of the Good Shepherd’s promise. The security of the sheep rests on the divine unity of Father and Son.
Reflection
Do I truly live as one who trusts Christ with divine confidence, knowing that to follow Him is to entrust myself to God?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, one with the Father, I adore You as true God and true Shepherd. Strengthen my faith in Your divine unity and help me live securely in the life You give. Amen.
CONCLUSION
John 10:22–30 offers profound reassurance to believers. In the present time, when fear, uncertainty, and insecurity often dominate human experience, Jesus’ promise of eternal life and unfailing protection speaks with great power. The security of the sheep does not depend on their strength but on the faithfulness of the Shepherd and the power of the Father who stands behind Him.
This passage also confronts listeners with a choice. To accept Jesus’ words is to trust in His divine identity and to rest in the certainty of His care. To reject them is to remain outside the safety of His hand. Christians today are invited to deepen their confidence in Christ, knowing that true security is found not in worldly assurances but in belonging to the One who is eternally one with the Father.
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, Shepherd of our souls, thank You for holding us securely in Your hand. Strengthen our faith when doubts arise, and help us to trust fully in Your unity with the Father. Keep us faithful to Your voice, confident that nothing can separate us from Your love. Amen.