Reflect on the light of Jesus in your life with insights from the Gospel of John. Discover how living in His truth can free and guide you.
Today's Gospel: John 12:44-50
Jesus came so that we might live in the light. Specifically, His light. When we do this, we see clearly and have courage to speak the truth that He is our Savior, the Son of God.
Knowing God, having Jesus in my life sets me free in many ways. It also anchors me to the Trinity, knowing that it is where I find my strength and courage.
This Gospel passage reminds us of many things Jesus taught us.
1. He is The Light of the World.
2. He came to save us.
3. If we reject Jesus and His words, that is what condemns us, not Jesus.
4. The Father sent Him and commanded the words He spoke.
Jesus is the light and we, because of free will, choose to believe or not to believe He is the Son of God. If we believe that Jesus is who He says He is and yet live as if the Truth does not matter, we condemn ourselves.
Here is an example from my time as a youth minister. We were having a special Mass and event, and I was careful to explain what appropriate dress for this occasion was. Of course, people had questions. “How long of a skirt?", "Do I need a collared shirt?", "Are flip-flops okay?” I could tell they knew the answers, so I finally I said, “If you need to ask if it is appropriate, it most likely isn’t.”
We do that as adults; we push the line as to what is morally permissible or look for the loophole. We know when we have strayed from the Truth Jesus gave us. Instead, hold your actions up to the Light, so that you do not condemn yourself.
Ponder:
Are there certain small things you do because they are not a big deal, but you know they are wrong? Think about how you can live out the truth Jesus taught more fully in your life.
Pray:
Jesus, teach me to hold my thoughts, words, and actions up to the light of truth before I act on them.
Pray Together:
Sit with your family in a room with natural light as the sun goes down. Watch as the room changes from being light-filled to dark. Talk about why light is necessary. And then, why we need Jesus as the Light of the World. You may want to light a candle or give your children flashlights. (Hopefully they won’t shine them in your eyes!)
Copyright 2026 Deanna Bartalini
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