Grace upon Grace – John 1:1-18 Reflection
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day): John asks us to believe that Jesus has enlightened us in the Word since the beginning of time. More importantly, John lets us know that Jesus is still helping to inform us through His incarnation. Jesus, the son of the Father and son of Joseph who dwelt among us, fully divine and fully human is alive in our body, mind, and soul. God can reveal truths if we believe in the light that illuminates our gifts and exposes evil, protecting us from darkness. When we embrace Jesus, the world cannot manipulate us, and we receive grace upon grace. Since we are children of God, we will feel inclined to care for and love others. Faith and knowing these reasons for believing are among the many others that should compel us to listen and encounter the Word of Jesus.
Our Lord Jesus Christ by James Tissot (high resolution image of painting).
The full-resolution painting and more detail are available on the Brooklyn Museum website.
Note: This Scripture Reading is used multiple times during the Season of Christmas including for The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas Day Mass)
Lectio for The Nativity of the Lord (Day) – This Lectio for John 1:1-18 Reflection – Grace upon Grace
Lectio for The Nativity of the Lord (Dawn) – Lectio for Luke 2:15-20 Reflection – All These Words
Lectio for The Nativity of the Lord (Vigil) – Lectio for Matthew 1:1-25 – Name him Emmanuel
Lectio for The Nativity of the Lord (Night) – Lectio for Luke 2:1-14 Reflection – Good News
Additional Christmastide Reflections
John 1:1-18 – Scripture*
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being 4 in him was life, and the life was the light of all people. 5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. 7 He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. 8 He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. 9 The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. 11 He came to what was his own, and his own people did not accept him. 12 But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God, 13 who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.
14 And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. 15 (John testified to him and cried out, “This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me ranks ahead of me because he was before me.’”) 16 From his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. 17 The law indeed was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18 No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Son, who is close to the Father’s heart, who has made him known.
Additional Thoughts
Thank you for meditating on this Gospel and reading this Lectio Divina on John 1:1-18 Reflection – Grace upon Grace.
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 types of 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 get to know 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 1 passage.
The Immersive Prayer website follows the guidelines for image web use at the Brooklyn Museum and the Jewish Museum websites.
Page and discussion group on these Lectio Divina daily Gospel Readings.
Discussion group on St. John of the Cross.
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Primary Lectio Divina word or phrase: Grace upon Grace