FROM THE SERVANT GENERAL
OUR THEME FOR 2024
(PART 7)
THE WORD OF LIFE
December 27, 2023
Today’s reading: 1 John 1:1-4
Jesus is the preexistent Word, the Word made flesh, the Word of life that will bring us to heaven. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Jesus was experienced by the apostles, as testified to by John. He was “what was from the beginning” (v.1a), what they heard, saw, looked upon and touched with their hands (v.1b), as they looked to what was to be, “eternal life that was with the Father” (v.1c).
We as Christians experience what the apostles did, without the actual physical presence of Jesus, though with his mystical spiritual presence (though consider that Jesus is physically present in the Eucharist). How the apostles were affected, so should we be. Yesterday, as we met Christ, “the life was made visible; we have seen it” (v.2a). Today, as we live Christ, we “testify to it” (v.2b). As to forever, we share Christ as we “proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us” (v.2c).
Yesterday, “we have seen and heard” (v.3a). Today, “we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us” (v.3b). As to forever, we look to heaven, “for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.” (v.3c).
Our life and our calling are profoundly in Christ. He brought us to conversion in him, he lives in us and in our homes, and he will guide us all the way to heaven. Jesus is the fullness of our life. Jesus is the reason why we live and die. It is only in him “that our joy may be complete.” (v.4).
