Reflection for Wednesday December 31 Seventh Day within the Octave of the Nativity: John 1:1-18

Gospel: John 1:1-18

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. 

A man named John was sent from God. He came for testimony, to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to testify to the light. The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. 

He was in the world, and the world came to be through him, but the world did not know him. He came to what was his own, but his own people did not accept him.

But to those who did accept him he gave power to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, who were born not by natural generation nor by human choice nor by a man’s decision but of God.

And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth.

John testified to him and cried out, saying, “This was he of whom I said, ‘The one who is coming after me ranks ahead of me because he existed before me.’

From his fullness we have all received, grace in place of grace, because while the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God. The only-begotten Son, God, who is at the Father’s side, has revealed him.

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Reflection:

Have we done something to bring someone closer to the Lord?

John brought people to the Lord through his way of life. With humility and faithfulness, he prepared the way for Jesus. He led people closer to Christ, yet he never asked them to remain with him. Instead, he pointed them to Jesus—the One they were truly meant to follow. John’s life reminds us that our mission is not to draw attention to ourselves, but to lead others to the Lord.

Are we also willing to guide others to Jesus by the way we live our lives? Do we have the courage and the love to gently speak about Jesus to those around us? Oftentimes, it is not through grand words or dramatic actions that we evangelize, but through simple faithfulness—by living a life that reflects Christ. In doing so, we already point others to Him.

Some of us may say, “Sharing Jesus is not my responsibility; it belongs only to those who give their time to the Church.” But by virtue of our baptism, all of us have been empowered and entrusted with the mission to share Jesus and our faith in whatever way we can. The real question is not whether we are capable, but whether we are willing. Have we truly shared Jesus and our faith with others?

It is never too late to begin. As long as we live, sharing the Lord remains our duty and our mission. Let us not be afraid, for the Lord Himself walks with us, and the Holy Spirit—who makes all things possible—guides and strengthens us.

Today is New Year’s Eve, a time when our tables are often filled and our hearts are hopeful. Let us not forget to share what we have with those who are in need. We give not from our excess, but from a sincere desire to share from the depths of our hearts. Through our generosity, compassion, and kindness, those who are in darkness and those who are losing hope because of life’s harshness may catch a glimpse of the light of the Lord.

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, let us ask ourselves in prayer: Will our lives point others to Jesus, or will we keep Him to ourselves? And what concrete step can we take today to bring someone closer to the Lord? — Marino J. Dasmarinas