John begins his Gospel not at the beginning of Jesus’ life on earth like Luke and Matthew, but at the very beginning of time. Through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, John is revealing the very center of the great mystery of the One God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This is the very heart of our faith. This Word that was with God at the beginning of time, is God, the very source of all life. This Word is light, a light that pushes away the darkness of our ignorance. It was “the dawn from on high” that, “in the tender compassion of our God, broke upon us to shine on those who dwelt in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the way of peace.” (Luke 1:79) This Word is Jesus.

John’s Gospel starts with a profound statement of theology. Jesus is the Word of creation and is God’s Word to a fallen world. This Word that was with God at the moment of creation, the Word that was, is, and always will be God remains with us in his Holy Spirit today.

Jesus, the Word of God, communicates God’s love to us in a way that we can understand. But it is a Word that also challenges us to be what God made us to be. Jesus is God’s “Yes,” the affirmation of his creation, of his mercy, and his love for his children. Jesus is the Word that expresses God’s profound and unconditional love for us. Jesus, the Word of God, shows us and tells us that even though we had fallen away from him, he would not turn away, or abandon us. He is the Word that fulfills the ancient promise of God’s mercy. In him, God’s intimate, powerful, generative, strengthening, and forgiving Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.

Jesus is the Word that gives meaning to all that is really good, true, and beautiful in creation. In this Word there is no darkness, only light. Through this Word, we have been saved from the darkness of sin and death. In this Word, we receive the gift of faith, we find the reason for our hope, and for the life-giving, driving force of Love for ourselves, for our neighbor, and for God. Jesus, the Word of God, shows us the meaning and the purpose of our lives.

Lord, help us to listen to your word in and through the Sacred Scriptures. Through you Holy Spirit, open our hearts and our minds to receive and understand the Word of God that we encounter in Jesus. We pray with humble hearts, believing in the name of Jesus. Amen!

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