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; the 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 of 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
As we end the year 2015 and embrace a new one with hope, we will surely receive messages from friends and loved ones who wish us the best. There is a particular greeting that I feel allergic to because I do not really accept or believe in it. It is when people tell me “Good luck!” I believe in God’s amazing grace and generosity. God gives us so much more than we deserve, ask for, and can ever imagine. I prefer to fully entrust my life and my future to a God who is infinitely loving, a God who wants to bless all his children. I will not surrender myself to the blind forces of luck that benefit only a very few people and leave so many condemned to misfortune. I also believe in the fruitfulness of honest, patient and hard work. If only we value and use our God-given gifts and skills, we will be blessed and our world will be a better home.
“And the Word was made flesh and made his dwelling among us.” Jesus came to teach us the real purpose of our life. What will improve the life of people is not good luck, but when we follow the life of the Word who has become our brother, servant and friend. Our love and service inspired by Jesus will make the light grow, increasing within and around us, and diminishing the darkness until it vanishes completely.
Instead of hearkening to suggestions on how to attract good luck to our homes for the new year, let us bless one another in our families. We can use this prayer of blessing as we gratefully welcome God’s gift of a new year: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he look upon you with kindness, and give you his peace. Amen. May 2015 end on a happy note, and may 2016 begin with divine hope abounding in our hearts. Happy and grace-filled New Year to all!
- Fr. Edwin Fernandez, SVD (DWC, Vigan)
The Word in other words 2015
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.
