Episode 2108: The 1st Gospel of John & Rogation Days

John 1:1-18

1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light.
9 That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name.
13 Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.
15 John beareth witness of him, and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me is preferred before me: because he was before me.
16 And of his fulness we all have received, and grace for grace.
17 For the law was given by Moses: grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
18 No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
This passage introduces the profound theological themes of the Gospel of John, focusing on the divine nature of Jesus Christ as the Word made flesh, the source of life and light, and the giver of grace and truth.
Let's break down this passage from the Gospel of John (Chapter 1, verses 1-18) from a traditional Catholic perspective:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
This verse introduces the profound concept of the "Word" (Greek: "Logos"), which refers to Jesus Christ. It affirms that Jesus, the Word, existed from the beginning with God the Father and is of the same divine essence as God Himself (the Trinity).
The same was in the beginning with God.
Reiterates the eternal existence of the Word (Jesus Christ) alongside God the Father from the very beginning.
All things were made by him: and without him was made nothing that was made.
Declares that Jesus, as the Word, is the Creator of all things. This emphasizes His divine role in the creation of the universe and all existence.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
Jesus is the source of life itself and the spiritual light that illuminates humanity. This speaks to His role as the Savior and source of spiritual enlightenment.
And the light shineth in darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
Despite the presence of Jesus (the Light) in the world, many do not understand or accept Him, symbolizing the spiritual blindness and resistance to divine truth.
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
Refers to John the Baptist, who was divinely appointed to prepare the way for Jesus and testify to His coming.
This man came for a witness, to give testimony of the light, that all men might believe through him.
John the Baptist's mission was to bear witness to Jesus, the Light, so that people might believe in Him through John's testimony.
He was not the light, but was to give testimony of the light.
John clarifies that he himself is not the Light (Jesus), but rather a herald sent to point others towards the true Light.
That was the true light, which enlighteneth every man that cometh into this world.
Jesus, as the true Light, brings enlightenment and spiritual understanding to all who encounter Him.
He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
Despite being the Creator and present in the world, Jesus was often unrecognized and rejected by humanity.
John 1:10 reflects a profound aspect of Jesus Christ's identity and mission, particularly focusing on His incarnation and reception by humanity. Let's explore this further from a traditional Catholic perspective:
Jesus was in the world: This statement highlights the reality of the Incarnation—that Jesus, the eternal Word of God, entered into the world as a human being. Despite His divine nature and presence among humanity, He took on human form and lived among us.
The world was made by him: This reaffirms the divine role of Jesus as the Creator of the world. In Christian theology, Jesus is understood as the agent through whom all things were created (Colossians 1:16), emphasizing His divine authority and power over creation.
"For in him were all things created in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones, or dominations, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and in him."
The world knew him not: Despite Jesus' presence and role as Creator, the world (humanity collectively) did not recognize or acknowledge Him. This lack of recognition includes both ignorance of His true identity and rejection of His teachings and mission.
From a Catholic perspective, this verse underscores several important theological truths:
Incarnation: Jesus, as the eternal Word, humbled Himself to become human (Philippians 2:5-8). His presence in the world as a human being was a profound act of love and self-sacrifice, demonstrating God's desire to intimately engage with humanity.
Rejection and Unbelief: The world's failure to recognize Jesus points to the reality of human sinfulness and spiritual blindness. Despite being the Creator and Savior, Jesus faced rejection, indifference, and hostility from many during His earthly ministry.
Salvation and Revelation: Despite initial rejection, Jesus' mission ultimately brings salvation and reveals God's love and truth to those who believe (John 3:16-18). Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus offers reconciliation and redemption to a fallen world.
This verse challenges believers to reflect on their own response to Jesus. Are we open to recognizing Him as the Creator, Savior, and Lord of our lives? Are we willing to embrace His teachings and receive Him into our hearts? Ultimately, this verse invites us to respond to Jesus with faith, humility, and gratitude for His redemptive work and divine presence in our lives.
He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
Jesus came to His own people (the Jews), but many of them did not accept Him.
The phrase "He came unto his own, and his own received him not" from John 1:11 is a poignant reflection on Jesus Christ's reception by the Jewish people, who were His own in terms of heritage and covenant relationship. Let's explore this verse further from a traditional Catholic perspective:

Jesus came unto his own: This refers to Jesus' ministry among the Jewish people, who were the chosen nation of God under the Old Covenant. Jesus, being Jewish Himself, came as the fulfillment of God's promises to Israel and the Messianic hope of the Jewish people.
His own received him not: Despite Jesus' coming and His proclamation of the Kingdom of God, many of His fellow Jews did not accept Him as the Messiah. Instead of recognizing Him as the fulfillment of their Scriptures and the promised Savior, they often rejected His teachings and authority.
From a Catholic viewpoint, this verse underscores several significant aspects:
Fulfillment of Prophecy: Jesus' rejection by His own people fulfilled prophetic Scriptures, such as Isaiah 53:3, which foretold that the Messiah would be despised and rejected by men.
Humanity's Response to God's Revelation: The Jewish rejection of Jesus reflects a broader reality of human resistance to God's revelation. Despite God's ongoing efforts to draw humanity close through prophets and ultimately through Jesus, many hearts remain hardened or closed to His message.
Universal Call to Faith: Jesus' rejection by His own people emphasizes the universal call to faith and salvation. While the Gospel initially went forth to the Jewish people, Jesus' ministry expanded to include all nations (Matthew 28:19), inviting everyone to come to Him and receive salvation.
Divine Mercy and Redemption: Despite rejection, Jesus' mission of redemption remains universal. His sacrifice on the cross extends God's mercy to all humanity, offering forgiveness and reconciliation to those who believe in Him (John 3:16).
This verse challenges believers to reflect on their own response to Jesus' presence and message. Are we open to receiving Him as Lord and Savior, or are there areas of our lives where we resist His authority or teachings? Ultimately, Jesus' rejection by His own people invites us to examine our hearts and respond with faith and humility to His call of discipleship and salvation.
But as many as received him, he gave them power to be made the sons of God, to them that believe in his name.
Those who accept Jesus and believe in Him are granted the privilege of becoming children of God through the power of faith in His name.
Who are born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
This refers to spiritual rebirth through faith in Jesus, which is not a result of physical lineage or human effort, but a divine gift.
And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we saw his glory, the glory as it were of the only begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth.
The central Christian doctrine of the Incarnation: the Word (Jesus) became flesh (human) and lived among humanity, revealing the glory and nature of God Himself, characterized by grace and truth.
John beareth witness of him, and crieth out, saying: This was he of whom I spoke: He that shall come after me is preferred before me: because he was before me.
John the Baptist confirms Jesus' preeminence and eternal existence, even though John himself came before Jesus in earthly time.
And of his fulness we all have received, and grace for grace.
Believers receive from the fullness of Jesus Christ, continuously receiving grace upon grace.
For the law was given by Moses: grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ surpasses the law given through Moses, bringing the fullness of grace and truth to humanity.
No man hath seen God at any time: the only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Jesus, the unique Son of God, has revealed the nature and will of the Father to humanity, making God known through His incarnation and teachings.
This passage encapsulates essential theological truths about Jesus Christ as the eternal Word, Creator, Light of the world, and the unique Son of God who became human (Incarnation) to save humanity and reveal God's love and truth.