I am the light - Jn 8:12-20
Today's Gospel is a continuation of Jesus' dispute with the Pharisees. This excerpt is very rich in content and, in principle. We can make a very extensive commentary on the first line. Jesus says: " “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life."
I am the light … The context of this words is important. The action of this Gospel takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles. The Feast of Tabernacles commemorated the journey of Jews to the Promised Land when they lived in tents. During this journey, God accompanied the Jews in the form of a pillar of fire. It is in this context that Jesus says: I am the light that you must follow in order to have "the light of life". To reach the spiritual Promised Land. Extraordinarily strong words. I think the Jews read this allusion perfectly. Hence their accusations against Jesus: " You testify on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified."
A credible testimony was important for the Jews. It was based on the testimony of two witnesses. Jesus, in response to the allegations, refers to this principle. Even if I do testify on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified, because I am not alone, but it is I and the Father who sent me. Even in your law it is written that the testimony of two men can be verified. I testify on my behalf and so does the Father who sent me. With these words Jesus makes it clear that his testimony is authenticated by the Father ... by the one who sent him.
The Jews, when asking about the Father of Jesus, thinking that he meant Joseph, but Jesus makes it clear that it is not an "earthly father" but Someone Else. He says: You do not know My Father. “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
To know Jesus and to know the Father in this context is much more than just to know Who He is, to know His name, face, way of dressing, lifestyle, etc. ... Jesus talks about knowing Him and knowing the Father in the context of having a deep relationship with them. He says: You do not really know the Father ... you do not know God because you are not in deep intimacy with Him. You are not His close friend. If it were so, I would also be close to you ... I would be known to you. Can we feel it?
But only in Jesus Christ we can finally find out who man is. " “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life,” says the Lord Jesus in today's Gospel. It was only thanks to Christ that we learned that we are so important to God and so loved by Him that to save us, He gave us His own Son. And it was only thanks to Christ that we learned that the meaning of our humanity will ultimately be realized only in eternal life, and how the man is, unfortunate even if he gains the whole world, but becomes spiritually lost. He will close himself to the word of salvation and will not attain eternal life. The words of today's Gospel are very moving, that by not recognizing Christ as light and not believing in Him, man remains in darkness.
Until Tomorrow
fr. george