John Was A Lamp But Jesus Is The Light Of The World

Is. 56: 1-3, 6-8 & Jn. 5:33-36

The Prophet Isaiah has welcome words for those who do not belong to the Jewish race. He tells them that God rejects no one so long as that person will accept Him. “Foreigners who have attached themselves to the Lord to serve Him and to love His name and be His servants” He will make joyful in His house of prayer. Their sacrifices will be accepted.

In the Christian era we keep holy the Lord’s Day - Sunday - not the Sabbath. We offer the Sacrifice of the Mass, not whole burnt offerings. And the Lord’s House of Prayer is always open to those who wish to adore Him.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus told the Jews that John the Baptist was the precursor of the New Covenant. “John was a lamp alight and shining and for a time you were content to enjoy the light that he gave.” John’s baptism of repentance was satisfactory for his generation. But now we can expect more. Jesus’ Baptism with flowing water “in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” is the sacrament of initiation into the Mystical Body of Christ.

What made sense and opened the gates of heaven in the Old Covenant was sufficient in Old Testament times. But Jesus’ testimony is greater than John.

Lord Jesus, by carrying out the works Your Father has asked You to do, those works testify that the Father sent You. God’s unconditional love and salvation is offered to all peoples. By becoming man You allowed us to share in Your divinity.