THE WORD
1 Jn 2,18-21 / Jn 1,1-18
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; nthe light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him. But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.
And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only Son, full of grace and truth. John testified to him and cried out, saying “’This was he whom I said, ‘the one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’” From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.
IN OTHER WORDS
It is the last hour!–1 John 2:18
St John lived through the “last hour” of the so-called Apostolic Age. The Apostles had served as authoritative and unifying witnesses of the life and teaching of Jesus. But as they were dying one by one, “antichrists” or false preachers of the Gospel also began emerging and dividing the Christian communities that were fast spreading within the vast expanse of the Roman Empire.
What can sustain us through such chaos? How can we as disciples of Jesus remain constant and faithful in spiritually confusing times? St John’s timely message was to counsel his fellow Christians to find their bearings through an inner compass and an outer support:
You have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, and you all have knowledge [of Him]! (1 John 2:20)
Theology today will perhaps rephrase this simple statement of St John in more precise though complex words, such as: “Let us believers remain in steadfast communion with one another in orthodoxy and orthopraxy.” The Greek word orthos means “right” or “correct”. Doxa and praxis mean “teaching”and “conduct,” respectively. Through the Gospel, we have come to know the all-provident God in the person and preaching of Jesus. Orthodoxy then consists in prayerful reflection on his Good News. Then, we have the ongoing “anointing of the Holy One” – symbolized by the sacraments. Orthopraxy then consists in faithful participation in their nurturing celebration.
Today we have reached the “last hour” of a passing old year. At the same time, a new year opens out before us as a yet untrodden road. What can spur us Christians to journey onward are the orthodox guidance of the Gospel, and the orthoprax nurture of the sacraments – both animating us within the fold of the Church. St John of the Cross once imaged the Church as a bon re consisting of burning pieces of firewood. If firewood sets itself apart from the warming and glowing communion, in no time will the cold dark night snuff out its solitary heat and light.
- Fr. Pio Estepa, SVD | U.S.A.
The Word in other words 2016
An annual project of Logos Publications, The WORD in Other Words Bible Diary contains daily scripture readings and reflections written by priest, brothers, and sisters of the three congregations founded by St. Arnold Janssen (the SVD, SSpS, and SSpSAP). It hopes to serve as a daily companion to readers who continually seek the correlation of the Word of God and human experience.
