WEDNESDAY OF THE FOURTH WEEK OF EASTER
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. (JN 12:49-50)
In the last few daily readings, Jesus repeatedly tells us that He speaks the words of the Father. Because we already know and accept the relationship between Jesus, the Son, and God, the Father, these words might not strike us as particularly important. And perhaps even a little redundant. We believe God sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, into the world to be the light and to offer us eternal life with the Trinity. However, to the crowds Jesus is speaking to, these words are blasphemous. Jesus is saying, He and the Father are one.
Then God said: Let there be light, and there was light. God saw that the light was good. God then separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4)
That was day ONE. God doesn't create the sun and the moon until day FOUR. When Christ says in today's Gospel, "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness." (JN 12:46) He is telling us that He has been with the Father and the Holy Spirit, as one, since the beginning of creation. We must believe the Son if we are to have eternal life with the Father. The gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within each of us, as baptized Catholics, calls us to live in the light and to be a light to others.
Lord, may our words this day give light to the Good News, that you are the Son of God. May we be a light to those around us so that they may believe in you as well. Amen.