John 1:1-5: a reflection

1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2The same was in the beginning with God. 3All things were made through him. Without him, nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and the life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn’t overcome it.

John opens his Gospel with soaring words about Christ, the Word: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Through him all things were made; in him was life, and the life was the light of men. And then a word of hope amid darkness: The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Christ is the light shining in the world's darkness, a light the darkness cannot conquer.

Notice the image, and the promise: the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The world is dark, full of the darkness of sin, sorrow, and death; and into that darkness Christ came as light, shining. And the darkness, for all its depth, has not overcome the light; it could not put it out. The light still shines, undefeated by the darkness. The darkness of the world, however deep, cannot conquer the light of Christ.

That promise is a great hope, for the world can seem very dark, and we can fear the darkness will prevail. We see the darkness of sin, sorrow, evil, and death; and it can seem overwhelming, as though it might swallow everything. But the light of Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it; however deep the darkness, it cannot conquer the light. When the darkness of the world, or of your own circumstances, seems overwhelming, remember that the light of Christ shines in the darkness, undefeated. The darkness has not overcome the light, and it never will; Christ, the light, shines on, unconquered by the darkness. Do not fear that the darkness will prevail; the light of Christ shines in it, and the darkness cannot overcome it. Hold to the hope that the light shines in the darkness, undefeated; however deep the darkness seems, it cannot conquer the light of Christ, who shines on, and whom the darkness has not overcome, and never will.

Lord, John opens his Gospel with soaring words about Christ, the Word: in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God; through him all things were made; in him was life, and the life was the light of men. And then a word of hope amid darkness: the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. Christ is the light shining in the world's darkness, a light the darkness cannot conquer. Show me the image, and the promise: the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. The world is dark, full of the darkness of sin, sorrow, and death; and into that darkness Christ came as light. And the darkness, for all its depth, has not overcome the light; it could not put it out. Give me that great hope, for the world can seem very dark, and I can fear the darkness will prevail. I see the darkness of sin, sorrow, evil, and death; and it can seem overwhelming. But the light of Christ shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. When the darkness of the world, or of my own circumstances, seems overwhelming, help me remember that the light of Christ shines in the darkness, undefeated. The darkness has not overcome the light, and it never will. Keep me from fearing that the darkness will prevail; the light of Christ shines in it, and the darkness cannot overcome it. Help me hold to the hope that the light shines in the darkness, undefeated, Lord. Thank you that the darkness has not overcome your light, and never will.