Saturday of the Second Week of Advent
Today’s Reflection
Gospel: Jn 5:33-36
December 16, 2023 | Saturday
John also bore witness to the truth when you sent messengers to him, but I do not seek such human testimony; I recall this for you, so that you may be saved. John was a burning and shining lamp, and for a while you were willing to enjoy his light. But I have greater evidence than that of John – the works which the Father entrusted to me to carry out. The very works I do bear witness: the Father has sent me.
Today’s Reflection:.
Every household in the rural Philippines usually owns a lámpara during the period before the advent of electricity. Even as late as the 90s, people still relied on their good old lámpara to provide them with light when darkness fell or during brownouts. In today’s gospel, John the Baptist is likened to a lamp burning and shining in the dark. We can easily appreciate this, especially during this time when nights are longer than daytime. But while the testimony of John the Baptist is important, in today’s gospel, Jesus points us to His works as greater evidence of His God-given mission than the testimony of John. His works performed during His public ministry should be a clear sign to all that indeed the Father has sent Him in our midst to be our Savior. So, as we begin our Christmas novena, let us refocus our attention on Jesus whom God has sent to bring us salvation. / Vulnerasti, 2023
