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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider Before Abraham came to be, I am

Before Abraham came to be, I am

Published Mar 30, 2023 01:18 am

REFLECTIONS TODAY

Today’s Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ preexistence which also reminds us of the preexistent Logos in John’s Prologue. The Logos was with God and was moving toward God (pros ton theon). The Logos was God (1:1). It was through this same Logos that everything came to be. Moreover, in him was life (1:3). In today’s Gospel, Jesus reasserts his status as the preexistent Logos through which all, including Abraham, came to be. Jesus also reasserts life as his first attribute by saying that whoever keeps his word will never see death. The Greek expression egō eimi (“I am”) is used in the Gospel to highlight Jesus’ preexistence and his attribute as life-giver. Through him everything came to be. In him everything has life. Jesus is always life-giving both in eternity and in the here and now. What does it mean for us to profess that Jesus is the preexistent Logos and through whom all came to be? How do we value the life given to us by God? Does Jesus’ word nourish us, making us more and more life-giving every day?

Gospel • John 8:51-59

Jesus said to the Jews: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever keeps my word will never see death.” So the Jews said to him, “Now we are sure that you are possessed. Abraham died, as did the prophets, yet you say, ‘Whoever keeps my word will never taste death.’ Are you greater than our father Abraham, who died? Or the prophets, who died? Who do you make yourself out to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify myself, my glory is worth nothing; but it is my Father who glorifies me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God.’ You do not know him, but I know him. And if I should say that I do not know him, I would be like you a liar. But I do know him and I keep his word. Abraham your father rejoiced to see my day; he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to him, “You are not yet fifty years old and you have seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Amen, amen, I say to you, before Abraham came to be, I AM.” So they picked up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid and went out of the temple area. Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).



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