Darkness into Light – Reflection on John 3:14-21
Have you experienced stepping outside in the dark of the evening and looking up at a light to see moths and other bugs attracted to it? We can have this experience when looking at or thinking of the Cross. In front of us, within the darkness of the world surrounding us, is a wondrous light ready to shine brightly onto and deeply into us. This light can flush away our vices and bring to the surface glorious virtues that we can use to help change the world. This darkness into light is the most common way we are hidden from all else so Christ may quietly transform us.
Interview between Jesus and Nicodemus by James Tissot (full resolution image of painting).
More details are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
John 3:14-21 – Scripture*
14 And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15 that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17 “Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. 18 Those who believe in him are not condemned; but those who do not believe are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the only Son of God. 19 And this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world, and people loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil. 20 For all who do evil hate the light and do not come to the light, so that their deeds may not be exposed. 21 But those who do what is true come to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that their deeds have been done in God.”
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 3:14-21 – Darkness into Light.
Would you like to contribute related thoughts to these Lectio reflections on the Gospel readings? Since Lectio is not the only contemplative prayer style, others might appreciate these expressions in this ministry. Do you see God’s grandeur everywhere and unconditionally enjoy sharing the love of Christ that you have inside? Are you willing to be anonymous in what you would share? If so, email me.
Prayer for young families:
Lord, let the young families of our communities experience your joy, peace, comfort, and love despite worldly distractions.
Attributions
*This site has permission to use the New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (NRSVCE) Bible John 3 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
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Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.