REFLECTIONS TODAY
This section of the Gospel closes the Book of Signs, containing the seven “sign-miracles” that the evangelist focuses on so that people may believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and through this belief they may have life in his name (Jn 20:31). We have here the recapitulation of the person and mission of Jesus: he was sent by God to save the world, he speaks in the name of God and the very word of God, and he offers eternal life to those who believe in him. The gift of salvation is symbolized by light. Jesus came to the world as light, and he invites people to leave the world of darkness, of sin, and of death, and come to him to have eternal life. This closing section recapitulates the theme of the Prologue like a refrain: “What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:3-5).
This section of the Gospel closes the Book of Signs, containing the seven “sign-miracles” that the evangelist focuses on so that people may believe in Jesus as the Messiah, the Son of God, and through this belief they may have life in his name (Jn 20:31). We have here the recapitulation of the person and mission of Jesus: he was sent by God to save the world, he speaks in the name of God and the very word of God, and he offers eternal life to those who believe in him. The gift of salvation is symbolized by light. Jesus came to the world as light, and he invites people to leave the world of darkness, of sin, and of death, and come to him to have eternal life. This closing section recapitulates the theme of the Prologue like a refrain: “What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn 1:3-5).
Gospel • JOHN 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me, and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me. I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness. And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world. Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.” SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2021,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.