better than the incarnation?
"This life became visible." —1 John 1:2
St. John proclaims the Incarnation in a spectacular fashion. The God Who is outside of time and space has entered into both in order to be with us, to become flesh and make His dwelling among us (Jn 1:14). Human beings could see, touch, hear, and even eat Jesus, the Word made flesh (1 Jn 1:1-2; Jn 6:50-58). St. John never got over the marvelous truth of the Incarnation, that the majestic God of Whom he wrote could be embraced, heard, and seen. John even leaned back against Jesus and felt Jesus' Sacred Heart beating. John knew what he was talking about when he wrote of the Word becoming flesh (Jn 1:14; 1 Jn 1:1ff).
Yet Jesus told John, and us: "It is much better for you that I go" back to heaven and leave this earth (Jn 16:7). John knew that the incarnate presence of Jesus would remain with us in "a more excellent" (Heb 8:6) way through the Eucharist (Jn 6:56) and the Holy Spirit (Jn 16:7-14). He tells us: "This is how we know that He remains in us: from the Spirit that He gave us" (1 Jn 3:24). Likewise, John advises us that Jesus promises that anyone who "feeds on My flesh and drinks My blood remains in Me, and I in" that person (Jn 6:56).
Believe that Jesus remains with us in a "more excellent" way. With St. John, see and believe (Jn 20:8).
Prayer: Father, send the Holy Spirit to utterly amaze me at the realization that Jesus died on the cross for me.
Promise: "What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked upon and our hands have touched — we speak of the Word of life." —1 Jn 1:1
Praise: St. John's exhortation in his old age was: "Little children, love one another" (see 1 Jn 4:7).
Reference: (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.)
(Fall in love with our Eucharistic Lord! Order, view, or download our leaflet Adoration and Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on our website.)
Rescript: †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 16, 2018
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.