Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 1, 1-18
In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was in the beginning with God.
All things came to be through him,
and without him nothing came to be.
What came to be through him was life,
and this life was the light of the human race;
the light shines in the darkness,
and the darkness has not overcome it.
A man named John was sent from God.
He came for testimony, to testify to the light,
so that all might believe through him.
He was not the light,
but came to testify to the light.
The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
He was in the world,
and the world came to be through him,
but the world did not know him.
He came to what was his own,
but his own people did not accept him.
But to those who did accept him
he gave power to become children of God,
to those who believe in his name,
who were born not by natural generation
nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision
but of God.
And the Word became flesh
and made his dwelling among us,
and we saw his glory,
the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son,
full of grace and truth.
John testified to him and cried out, saying,
“This was he of whom I said,
‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me
because he existed before me.’”
From his fullness we have all received,
grace in place of grace,
because while the law was given through Moses,
grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
No one has ever seen God.
The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side,
has revealed him.
In the beginning
1. The Word. The greatness of God is seen in simplicity. There is nothing simpler than a word, but nothing more profound than a word. The phrase “I love you” can bring about in you as many emotions as the phrase “I hate you”. Silence also creates feelings in the lives of others. Today reflect on what you say. Your words are crucial to your own life and to the lives of others.
2. The light. Light shines in darkness. If you live in truth and you do things from the heart don’t be afraid, because sooner or later everything comes to light. Don’t get discouraged and don’t give up because when everything seems to be lost, light appears and illuminates everything. And you have the light of God in you which continues to shine. You are called to illuminate others. Please choose to shine.
3. Child of God. There is nothing more beautiful than being conscious of your importance because you are a child of God, and you have that dignity. Respect and value yourself and remember that you have much to give and can encourage others as well. May God fill you with the peace that only He can give you.
Let us be grateful today for the many graces we have received this year. I want to end with a prayer that comes from my heart:
“Jesus Christ, Lord of my life, I am thankful for the crosses I have received, and I have overcome. Thank you for what I complained about, but that today, I see as my salvation.
I am thankful for all the people that made me smile, because they lightened my load and made me happy. Thank you for the people that made me cry because I discovered that in life one can also falter, but that it is essential to stand up again. Thank you, God, for showing me that what I do in life, I do with passion. I am thankful for the people that pray for me without me knowing, because when I die, I will know all the good they did for me. Thank you for my life because I see how complicated and beautiful life is. Thank you, God, for always being with me and never letting go of me. Amen”
Remember that something good is on the way! God bless you, be with you and protect you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
