Jn 12:44–50
Yet Jesus had said, and even cried out, “Whoever believes in me, believes not in me, but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me, sees him who sent me. I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
If anyone hears my words and does not keep them, I am not the one to condemn him; for I have come, not to condemn the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me, and does not receive my words, already has a judge: the very words I have spoken will condemn him on the last day.
For I have not spoken on my own authority; the Father, who sent me, has instructed me what to say and how to speak. I know that his commandment is eternal life, and that is why the message I give, I give as the Father instructed me.”
REFLECTION
A group of men in darkness touched an elephant to learn what it is like. Then, they discussed what each of them thinks an elephant is. One says an elephant is the tusk, another argues it is the tail. When light was turned on, they fully realized that darkness blinded them from seeing the truth.
The conflict between light and darkness is as old as the world. In the beginning, man had to choose between selflessness and selfishness. Deceived by the devil, man chose the latter, “you will be like God.”
There was a mischievous boy who was told by his mother, “Naughtiness will take you to hell.” He resolved this conflict by saying he would stay healthy so that he won’t die.
Jesus resolved the conflict between light and darkness by calling on God as his witness. Conviction depends on the testimony of the witness. God, the most credible witness, is often called as a witness, as in “God is my witness.” Jonathan called on God as witness when he made a promise to David. St. Paul did the same in his letter to the Corinthians. Our Christian life is our witness, because our actions speak louder than words.
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