Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 12, 44-50
Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
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.
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,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
The Word
1. Believe in me. Faith is not only a gift, but also a decision and a choice. We come to believe through what we experience, and it’s important to have faith in the life you live—because if you lack faith, everything can fall apart. There comes a moment when life itself shows you that faith is a fundamental building block. I mean truly believing, not simply following rituals. We celebrate our faith; we don’t perform rituals to obtain it, but rather to strengthen the faith within us. When my faith is strong, I’m able to understand much more about my own life and the world, because “I believe in order to understand, and I understand in order to believe.”
2. Light. Jesus brings light into your life because you need it. Often, we deceive ourselves and keep things hidden, but eventually, these things must be confronted. Illuminate your life—step out of the darkness you’ve constructed. Don’t let yourself get stuck in situations that only create more confusion or cloud your vision. Choose to walk in the light of life.
3. Eternal Life. This is the true goal for both your life and mine. Stop chasing after titles or positions—they’re temporary and fade away. Don’t get caught up in seeking recognition or awards; these are nothing but pieces of paper. Direct your life toward eternity. That’s something no one can take from you, because it’s between you and God alone.
Remember something good is on the way!
God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
