REFLECTIONS TODAY

The liturgy for the first day of Simbang Gabi focuses on light. The light is not yet Jesus, the Light of the World. Rather, it is John the Baptist. It is true that “he was not the light, but came to testify to the light” (Jn 1:8). Jesus in the Gospel bears testimony to his witness: “John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light” (v 35). Only Jesus is the light, but if people draw close to him, they are enveloped by this light, and they in turn become lights. The Baptist becomes light in this sense. So do the disciples to whom Jesus addresses these revelatory words: “You are the light of the world… your light must shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your heavenly Father” (Mt 5:14, 16). 

John the Baptist became a “burning and shining lamp” by being true to his mission to be “the voice of one crying out in the desert, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord’ ” (Jn 1:23). He points to Jesus as the “Lamb of God,” and considers himself “the friend of the bridegroom” who prepares the “wedding” of Jesus, the Bridegroom (Jn 3:29), and the bride, the Church, the People of God. Many people rejoiced in his light, believing that John indeed was a prophet, a man sent by God.

FIRST READING • Is 56:1-3a, 6-8 
Thus says the Lord: Observe what is right, do what is just; for my salvation is about to come, my justice, about to be revealed. Blessed is the man who does this, the son of man who holds to it; Who keeps the sabbath free from profanation, and his hand from any evildoing. Let not the foreigner say, when he would join himself to the Lord, “The Lord will surely exclude me from his people.” 
The foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, ministering to him, Loving the name of the Lord, and becoming his servants—All who keep the sabbath free from profanation and hold to my covenant, Them I will bring to my holy mountain and make joyful in my house of prayer; Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be acceptable on my altar, For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord God, who gathers the dispersed of Israel: Others will I gather to him besides those already gathered.

Gospel • Jn 5:33-36 
Jesus said to the Jews, “You sent emissaries to John, and he testified to the truth. I do not accept testimony from a human being, but I say this so that you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were content to rejoice in his light. But I have testimony greater than John’s. The works that the Father gave me to accomplish, these works that I perform testify on my behalf that the Father has sent me.”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected].