29-Apr-15

Gospel JN 12:44-50
Jesus cried out and said,
“Whoever believes in me believes not only in me
but also in the one who sent me,
and whoever sees me sees the one who sent me.
I came into the world as light,
so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness.
And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them,
I do not condemn him,
for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world.
Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words
has something to judge him: the word that I spoke,
it will condemn him on the last day,
because I did not speak on my own,
but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak.
And I know that his commandment is eternal life.
So what I say, I say as the Father told me.”
Reflection:
Prior to Jesus' coming, the world lived in darkness, unaware of God's deep love for each of his children. "I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world."
God, our Father in Heaven, sent Jesus to earth with His message of love and forgiveness for His children. "I came into the world as light, so that everyone who believes in me might not remain in darkness."
It is a personal decision for each of us as to whether we believe Jesus was sent by God to assure us of His love. "Whoever believes in me believes not only in me but also in the one who sent me."
In the end, our judgement will be determined by what our reaction is to Jesus' message. If we believe he was sent by God, we are saved."I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what to say and speak."
If we reject Jesus, and God's message, Jesus does not condemn us. But, we must stand and be judged based on our own convictions. "And if anyone hears my words and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn the world but to save the world."
Jesus came into the world as light and truth. If our hearts are touched and we believe in his words of love and salvation, then we are saved. "Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day."
It is never too late to believe in Jesus, both the man and his message. Many embrace Jesus upon first hearing his words of God's love and forgiveness. Others resist and then come to him following a traumatic life experience. God is not intrusive. He does not force us to believe. The choice is ours.
Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him."John 14:23