This is the seventh in a series of reflections on John 1.
In the beginning was the Word
and the Word was with God
and the Word was God.
The Word was with God in the beginning.
Everything came into being through the Word,
and without the Word
nothing came into being.
From nothing: everything.
What came into being
through the Word was life,
and the life was the light for all people.
From nothing: life.
The light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness doesn’t extinguish the light.
From nothing: light.
A man named John was sent from God. He came as a witness to testify concerning the light, so that through him everyone would believe in the light. He himself wasn’t the light, but his mission was to testify concerning the light.
The true light that shines on all people
was coming into the world.
…that was created through it.
The light was in the world,
and the world came into being through the light,
but the world didn’t recognize the light.
…even though we were created in the image of it.
The light came to his own people,
and his own people didn’t welcome him.
…yet we were welcomed by it.
But those who did welcome him,
those who believed in his name,
he authorized to become God’s children,
born not from blood
nor from human desire or passion,
but born from God.
The Word became flesh
and made his home among us.
We have seen his glory,
glory like that of a father’s only son,
full of grace and truth. – John 1:1-14 (CEB)
Jesus,
May we speak a word of life to others as you have spoken it to us.
May we be light to others as you have been light to us.
May we welcome others as you have welcomed us.
May we share grace and truth as you have made it know to us.
All so that others may believe in the Word, the Light, the Life…in Jesus so that he may make his home with them.
Amen.
