4/24/2024 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reading: John 12:44-50

44 Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
45 and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
46 I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
47 And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
48 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day,
49 because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”

4/24/2024 (Wednesday) Today’s gospel reflection / homily / sermon: John 12:44-50

In the gospel reading above, Jesus speaks with urgency and clarity about the essence of His mission and the profound relationship between Himself, God the Father, and those who choose to follow Him. This passage invites us to reflect deeply on the power of faith and the consequences of embracing or rejecting the light He offers.

Jesus declares, “Whoever believes in me does not believe in me only, but in the one who sent me. The one who looks at me is seeing the one who sent me.” Here, Jesus emphasizes that faith in Him is also faith in God the Father, for He and the Father are one. This unity is a cornerstone of Christian faith, underscoring that to know Jesus is to know God Himself.

Jesus continues to explain that He has come as a light into the world, so that no one who believes in Him should stay in darkness. This metaphor of light versus darkness is powerful, illustrating the transformative effect of Jesus’s teachings and presence in our lives. By following Him, we step out of ignorance and isolation into understanding, community, and hope.

Furthermore, Jesus addresses the weight of His words and the authority with which He speaks, stating that He does not speak on His own but speaks just what the Father has taught Him. His teachings are not merely suggestions but divine commands intended for our salvation and well-being. They are words that offer life if we accept them, and judgment if we reject them.

This passage encourages us to consider the impact of Jesus’s words in our lives. Are we walking in the light of His truth, embracing His teachings, and thereby embracing God Himself? Jesus’s invitation is clear: He offers us light, truth, and a pathway to divine love. Let us step into this light and live fully in the presence and promise of God’s eternal love, knowing that in doing so, we secure not just temporal peace but eternal salvation.

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