The Word was made flesh

Gospel

John 1:1-18

The Word was made flesh, and lived among us

In the beginning was the Word:

and the Word was with God

and the Word was God.

He was with God in the beginning.

Through him all things came to be,

not one thing had its being but through him.

All that came to be had life in him

and that life was the light of men,

a light that shines in the dark,

a light that darkness could not overpower.

A man came, sent by God.

His name was John.

He came as a witness,

as a witness to speak for the light,

so that everyone might believe through him.

He was not the light,

only a witness to speak for the light.

The Word was the true light

that enlightens all men;

and he was coming into the world.

He was in the world

that had its being through him,

and the world did not know him.

He came to his own domain

and his own people did not accept him.

But to all who did accept him

he gave power to become children of God,

to all who believe in the name of him

who was born not out of human stock

or urge of the flesh

or will of man

but of God himself.

The Word was made flesh,

he lived among us,

and we saw his glory,

the glory that is his as the only Son of the Father,

full of grace and truth.

John appears as his witness. He proclaims:

‘This is the one of whom I said:

He who comes after me ranks before me

because he existed before me.’

Indeed, from his fullness we have, all of us, received –

yes, grace in return for grace,

since, though the Law was given through Moses,

grace and truth have come through Jesus Christ.

No one has ever seen God;

it is the only Son, who is nearest to the Father’s heart,

who has made him known.

Short Reflection

This majestic prologue unveils the stunning mystery at the heart of the Christian faith: the eternal, creative Word of God, who is God, entered into His own creation. The infinite became intimate. The light that no darkness can overcome took on human flesh and lived among us. This is not a distant God, but a God who draws near, sharing in our human experience. Though the world He made did not recognize Him, to those who receive Him, He gives the unimaginable gift of becoming children of God. This new birth comes not from human origin, but directly from God. In the person of Jesus Christ, we behold the very glory of the Father—a glory not of sheer power, but of "grace and truth," a love that is both merciful and utterly faithful. He is the ultimate revelation of the God no one has ever seen.

Question for Reflection

Do I truly live in the reality that God, the creator of the universe, has drawn near to me in Jesus Christ, and what does it mean for me to "receive" Him and behold His glory today?

Short Prayer

Eternal Word, who was with God and who is God, you became flesh and made your dwelling among us. You are the true light that darkness cannot overcome. Help me to receive you anew today, that I may believe in your name and live as a child of God, beholding your glory, full of grace and truth. Amen.r