John 8:12-20

Daniel 13:1-9. 15-17, 19-30, 33-62 or Daniel 13:41c-62

Psalm 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

John 8:12-20

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 judgment 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.

Opening Prayer: Lord God, increase my faith so that I may believe all that your Word has revealed to us. Increase my hope so that I may trust more confidently in your Word’s promises. Increase my charity so that I may be united to you, your Son, and your Spirit more deeply.

Encountering the Word of God

1. A Feast of Water and Light: The Gospel today occurs after the Feast of Tabernacles. The feast was a fall harvest festival that commemorated the time of Israel dwelling in tents in the desert. During the feast, the priests would go down to the Pool of Siloam and draw water. They would bring the water up and pour it out on the altar. This symbolized how God provided water for his people while they were in the desert. It also looked forward to the fulfillment of the prophecy of Ezekiel, which held that one day, water would miraculously flow from the new Temple and give supernatural life (see Ezekiel 47:1-12). Another ceremony during the feast of Tabernacles was the light ceremony. In Jesus’ day, giant golden lampstands were placed in the Court of the Women in the Temple. It provided light for the entire city of Jerusalem. At night, the priests would also perform fire dances with torches. Like the water-drawing ceremony, the light looks back to the time of Israel in the desert, when the people were guided by a pillar of fire. It also symbolized how the Temple would, one day, become the source of light for the whole world. 

2. The Fulfillment of the Feast: On the eighth day of the feast, Jesus declared that he would give living water to those who believe in him. This means that when he is glorified he will pour out the gift of the Holy Spirit on his Church (John 7:39). Shortly after the Feast of Tabernacles Jesus proclaims: “I am the light of the world” (John 8:12). The earthly temple made of stone was only a symbol and could not truly enlighten the whole world. But Jesus, the New Temple, who pours out the Holy Spirit, does enlighten the world. “The Father sent Jesus into the world, darkened by sin, to be its spiritual light (John 1:4-5). As the light, Jesus guides us on the way to eternal life with the Father. The presence of Jesus in the world as Light is also the occasion of judgment, because the light provokes a response from people (John 3:19-21). Those who follow Jesus believe that he illumines the way to the Father, and they live their lives accordingly. A negative response to Jesus is a decision to remain in spiritual darkness” (Martin and Wright, The Gospel of John, 154).

3. The Pharisees Remained in Darkness: The Pharisees challenged Jesus’ testimony about himself. Earlier, in John 5:31, Jesus spoke about his Father giving testimony about him. Here, Jesus insists that his self-testimony is valid because of his relationship with the Father. “Jesus is unique in regard to self-testimony because he alone knows the Father (I know where I came from and where I am going), he alone has seen the Father (John 6:46), and he alone reveals him (John 1:18). Jesus’ union with the Father gives his self-testimony a unique validity. No authority can sit in judgment over it, for there is no greater authority. The Pharisees do not know his relationship with the Father and thus do not recognize that his self-testimony is valid” (Martin and Wright, The Gospel of John, 156). The episode will conclude with the Pharisees choosing not to believe in Jesus and remaining in darkness (John 9:40-41).

Conversing with Christ: Lord Jesus, you are my light. You dwell in me and grant me your wisdom to see all things in a divine light and from the perspective of eternity. Help me to choose the good always and merit eternal life empowered by your grace.

Living the Word of God: How have I chosen darkness and light this past week? When did I fall and choose the darkness of sin? When was I victorious with Christ and when did I choose the light of faith and divine grace?