Friday, December 16, 2022

 Friday of the Third Week of Advent

(Isaiah 56-3a.6-8; John 5:33-36)

In John’s Gospel Jesus seems to be continually on trial before the Jews.  This explains the lack of a trial in the Passion account.  Jesus is presented today as calling a witness to defend himself.  He tells the Jews that they heard John the Baptist testify in his favor and that they had believed him before.   However, he adds that now they won’t accept John’s testimony. 

Next Jesus will admit evidence in his defense.  He says that the works – the healings and miraculous deeds like changing water into wine – testify to his being God’s emissary.  Unfortunately, the Jews will not be satisfied with this proof either.

Hopefully, we are.  Every year we have to decide to keep accepting Jesus at his word or to forget about his coming in glory.  Fortunately, we are boosted by the good we see in other Christians and by other experiences of grace.  We must continue to wait patiently for Jesus.  Maybe it will be soon.  But it will probably not be in our lifetime.  In any case, there is comfort in waiting with so many fine people.

Friday, December 16, 2016

Friday of the Third Week of Advent

(Isaiah 56-3a.6-8; John 5:33-36)

A lovely poem by the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore treats the somber theme of death.  It says that death is not what is popularly thought -- the “extinguishing (of) the light.”   Rather, it consoles those who grieve that death is “putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”  The same interplay of two kinds of light governs the Christian perspective of the relationship between John the Baptist and Jesus.

In today’s gospel passage Jesus calls John “a burning and shining lamp.”  He cannot provide definitive instruction on how to live but points the way to Jesus.  In the beginning of the Gospel of John Jesus is described as “the true light that enlightens everyone who comes into the world.”  He teaches those who would listen the ways of God and provides the necessary assistance to fulfill his directives.

As we in the Northern Hemisphere experience the minimum of sunlight during late December, we do well to reflect on Jesus as a light more radiant than that of any star.  He insures us a worthy life now and eternal life in a realm beyond our dreams.