First Reading: 1Jn 2:18-21; Psalm: 96 R. v. 11a; Gospel: Jn 1:1-18

A NEW BEGINNING WITH CHRIST OUR LIGHT

BY FR VALENTINE NNAMDI EGBUONU, MSP

It was a strong belief for the Jews that a Messiah would come to save the world. But this belief was foreign to the Gentiles. As at the time John wrote his gospel, the Gentiles had converted to the faith in significant number. So it became a tough task for John to explain the faith to these new converts. The Gentiles however saw the Logos (Word) as the creating and sustaining power of God who made the world and kept it in order. They understood the ‘Word’ as that through which God created all things and sustain them as in the beginning of creation. So John had to use the ‘Word’ to explain the faith to them.

The gospel of today reported this explanation of John. John tried to convince the Gentiles that Jesus was that Word through which God created and sustained all things. And that Jesus took flesh and became man. He came to restore life to all created things. The life that was snatched away through the disobedience of man. By doing this, Christ restored light to our dark world just as he did in the beginning of creation when the command “Let there be Light” destroyed the darkness of the universe. So we have all been redeemed by the light of Christ.

As we begin a new year tomorrow; let us all step into it with this unquenchable light of Christ alive in us. The days ahead may be gloomy and uncertain. But we need not be afraid when we take each step trusting in Christ Jesus who has come to lighten our paths and lives. Let us allow Jesus to lead the way by entrusting all our endeavours into his hands. Let us put behind the darkness of our pasts for Jesus came precisely to redeem us from them and to give us new life. May this forthcoming year be bright and beautiful for us. And may the darkness of the past years be cast away forever. Amen.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Lord Jesus, we thank you for sustaining us throughout the year. As we march into a new year, may the year bring us the blessings of your light. Amen.