John 8:12-20

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have
the light of life.” So the Pharisees said to him, “You testify
on your own behalf, so your testimony cannot be verified.”
Jesus answered and said to them, “Even if I do testify
on my own behalf, my testimony can be verified,
because I know where I came from and where I am going.
But you do not know where I come from or where I am going.
You judge by appearances, but I do not judge anyone.
And even if I should judge, my judgement is valid,
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.”
So they said to him, “Where is your father?” Jesus answered,
“You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me,
you would know my Father also.” He spoke these words
while teaching in the treasury in the temple area.
But no one arrested him, because his hour had not yet come.

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

The evil one prefers the dark, because in the dark you can not know the full extent of his evil designs. You can delude yourself into thinking that it is not as bad as you think. But the truth is that evil is always worse than you think it is. God on the other hand lives in the light, so the fullness of his glory can be fully seen. And that light casts out all darkness, and reveals the truth of the evil one and his lies.

This is the point of todays reading…, If you follow Jesus you will be in the light, and will not walk in darkness, that is our call, and that is how we rightly order our lives to Him. As Jesus tells us in the sermon on the mount, that we too are the light of the world, and the salt of the earth. If we follow him, and we walk in his light we too will become lesser lights that will also cast out darkness. If enough of us actual embraced this way of life, and spread Gods message to every corner of the world, then our combined light might cast out all of the darkness of this world.

Living in the light was always the plan for us, but we chose to live in sin and embrace the darkness instead. But God loves us too much to leave us there, and wants so much more for us. He wants bring us out of the darkeness, so the can be with Him in the light. So do it today, come out of the shadows and into the light, the goodness, and truth, and beauty of God awaits.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord, guide me and help me on this jorney so that I can do good resist evil and find the peace that comes from living in the tranquility or your order.