RBWords

     When one looks at ancient biblical manuscripts it  becomes clear that there are no punctuation marks or quotation marks in them.  This gives scripture scholars something to debate about, and this absence of such grammatical guides can mean a big difference in the meaning of a particular phrase!  Today's gospel scripture presents us with an example.  Since there are no quotation marks, we are not always certain that particular words are those of Jesus or "preaching" by the evangelist!  It is important to remember that the gospels are preaching documents.  They used the materials they had to compose their portraits of Jesus in much the same way any preacher does (or those who unfurl the banner in the end zone of a football game:  JOHN 3:16)!  Since it is the faith of the Church that the entire Bible is inspired, the preaching of the evangelists is included.  Each evangelist organized the materials in a different way to convey the "Good News" of Jesus Christ.  Either way, we are treated to a beautiful sample of early Christian preaching!

     Major themes of the Gospel of John appear in this one passage!  God's love, light/darkness, truth, judgment - these are all prominent in the preaching of Jesus (or of the evangelist) throughout this gospel.  The disciples faced the same challenge, in a way, that we do today.  Can we believe that "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son...."   Can we accept the truth of the Good News as it challenges us to accept or reject and realize the consequences?  Can we come into the light and expose our lives to the world of belief?  Can we believe that God loves us?  

     The Gospel of John will appear frequently in the daily scriptures in the days ahead of us that remain in the Easter season.  Be prepared to be challenged!   AMEN