Meditation for April 28. Lectionary # 281.

Scripture: April 28. Lectionary # 281. Acts 12:24-13:5a. Psalm
67:2-3,5.6.8. John 12:44-50.

Our Gospel message is taken from the very last lines of the Book of Signs,
chapters 1-12. The Evangelist is giving us a succinct and clear summary
that helps us to understand the purpose of this first part of the John's
Gospel and that greets us with Jesus telling us what we need to know about
him and his message. He shouts or cries out telling us that he is the
Apostle who has been sent by the Father to bring light to the world. He is
that light for the world. His words and works are those that the Father has
given him to speak and to do.

From the outset of this Gospel Jesus is working with the Father by
preaching, teaching and dialoguing with God's people. Some listen and some
do not. We too are being led to see him more and more as the Son of God and
the one who has come into this world. To believe in him is to make a clear
decision about accepting him for being who he says he is. We make this
decision to believe in these revelatory words given by one who is the Word
(Logos) of God. He became flesh in order to reveal himself to us and to
glorify his Father. (John 1:14). God loved the world so much that he sent
Jesus his only son to us (John 3:16).

Often we are called to return to the very first poem in John in order to
situate where we are while hearing or reading another part of the Gospel.
This Prologue (John 1:1-18) is the overture for the whole mystery of Jesus
and of the love God has for us. Certain verses capture what we need to
know when looking at a passage. The verse which helps us today is verse 12:
"...to all who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to
all who believe in his name."

"The word of the Incarnate Christ is absolute because it is the Father's
(7:16ff;8:28;14:10,31). Jesus ministry is finally summed up as proclamation
of the Father's command which is eternal life, cf. 3:15. The inclusion
('word') with 1:1 marks the end of the first part of the Gospel." (Dom
Ralph Russell, A New Catholic Commentary on Scripture, John, p.1061).
Amen . Alleluia.