John the Evangelist’s Three Ls

With the Baptism of Jesus, the Light has now been revealed to the Jews. It began with Mary and the angel, expanded to Joseph, then the shepherds, poorest of the poor, who were the first group to learn the Good News. Then comes those foreigners, the Magi. Next, it shines upon the Jews in the Baptism, when Jesus goes public for the first time. Finally, the apostles begin to learn who it is they are following at the wedding of Cana…so John tells us. And then there is us…and there is today. There is the evening News.

John is the writer for all of this revealing of the Light into our darkness. He is all about Light, Life, and Love…the three “Ls.” In this first section of Ordinary Time, keep looking in the texts for the Light blinking, the Life springing up in the most surprising places, and the Love gently replacing the cruelty, bigotry, and woundedness of our broken humanity. Watch the evening news carefully.

The readings of the small section of Ordinary Time are working from the mystery of the Incarnation and what that mystery will eventually do to the world. The Light, Life, and Love are shining from these readings. They are stirring up Light, Life, and Love in us all over the world. Do you see it? Are you ready to have it wrap you roundabout?

You shine, Jesus…

and I find myself blinking in the Light.

You fill me with Life, Jesus,

and I find myself watching with expectation.

You fill me with Love, Jesus,

and I find myself weak in the knees.

What was that Infant up to back then?

And today?