know jesus or no jesus?
"You have the anointing that comes from the Holy One, so that all knowledge is yours." —1 John 2:20
We continue to prepare for the two-thousandth anniversary celebration of Jesus' Incarnation. Tomorrow, we begin a year of fixing our eyes on Jesus (Heb 12:2) in a special way. (In 1998, the Church calls us to focus on the Holy Spirit and, in 1999, on God the Father. [see Toward the Third Millennium, Pope John Paul II])
Today's Gospel reading gives us a headstart in directing our attention on Jesus, for it reveals that Jesus is:
- the Eternal Word (Jn 1:1),
- the Word Who is God (Jn 1:1),
- the Word incarnate as a human being (Jn 1:14),
- the Creator (Jn 1:3),
- the Life (Jn 1:4; 14:6),
- the Light (Jn 1:9; 8:12),
- the Christ, the Anointed One, the Messiah (Jn 1:17),
- the uniquely begotten Son of God (Jn 1:18), and
- the Revelation of the Father (Jn 1:18; Heb 1:3) and the only Way to Him (Jn 14:6).
These verses beginning John's Gospel are only the beginning of knowing Jesus. "Absolute fullness reside(s) in Him" (Col 1:19). Spend this next year, the rest of your life, and eternity in knowing Jesus, for "eternal life is this: to know You, the only true God, and Him Whom You have sent, Jesus Christ" (Jn 17:3). Know Jesus.
Prayer: Father, by Your grace may I end this year completely repentant, forgiving, forgiven, healed, freed, and obedient.
Promise: "Of His fullness we have all had a share — love following upon love." —Jn 1:16
Praise: Pope Sylvester believed so strongly in the power of fasting to overcome the strongholds of Satan that he proclaimed Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays as days of fasting for the Church.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Edward J. Gratsch, June 20, 1996
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 1996