“Look how a single candle can both defy and define the darkness”
Often misattributed to Anne Frank
As we gaze upon the vista of the year ahead, unsure of what might lie before us, unable to see the ups and downs on our future path, we might yearn for any light whatsoever. For those in crisis, struggling to make sense of their world, their landscape may be very dark indeed.
The passage from the Gospel according to John has been seen as a clear message of light, entwined with God, ‘the Word’ or “logos”, flesh, God’s people, as well as God’s new people. However, John 1:1-18, the prologue to the Gospel itself, we can also see connections to the Genesis story – given that it starts ‘In the beginning’ or “arche” in the Greek. Here creation resonates, with God coming in human form but also we have the rejection of God by some. The similarities are striking.
The Word?
We read of ‘the Word’ and find comfort in its presumed meaning, that this is Jesus. But we may note also that ‘The Word’ doesn’t reappear in the Gospel. Was this prologue written by someone else?
The concept of Jesus as God, aka part of the Trinity, is well attributed but this suggestion wasn’t a simple acceptance of the Exodus, the Israelites were accompanied by God in the wilderness: seen in the form of the Ark, and in flames etc. – not a person. 1 Kings speaks of God evident in the earthquake, the storm, the fire (again), and the silence. However, God in human form is radical, breaking the old, denying formless perfection.
Those hearing this in the 1st C would not have believed in the physical sight of angels or spiritual bodies; so, to take this perspective would have been hard. Angels in Judaism “are not physical beings, but merely resemble them.” We had have films to stimulate our imagination, to bridge that gap. It would take until the 2nd C, and with Gnosticism, that physically present angels came into their understanding.
This passage is very largely poetic, full of metaphors, despite many trying to describe the situation literally. The word logos which is translated as ‘Word‘ means the “divine wisdom manifest in the creation, government, and redemption of the world” or “reason that in ancient Greek philosophy is the controlling principle in the universe“. Given that the author(s) are from the Qumran region, and with the Dead Sea Scrolls lifting the veil upon the Gnostics, it is wondered whether ‘the Word’ was a divine spark within certain people, and Jesus was also one of that elite?
Rejection
We note that in John 1: 10-11, God was rejected by some. However, those who do recognise God, were to be blessed. Was this describing the split between Jews and Judeans at that time?
So what?
So, when we hear this passage, there are many possibly hidden points. When we see another person, we may not see all that they wish us to know. We all hide certain issues, look out from behind a series of masks, so we can protect our inner self. We may know of a select group or even an individual to whom we can truly show that inner self – some may not have that opportunity. Making ourselves vulnerable, open, transparent is not always easy.
“only when it’s dark enough can you see the stars”
Kamala Harris
As the year starts to unfold, may we look at ourselves and see the light that we ourselves shine. Look behind our own mask, see the qualities we in fact behold. May we look at others and see the light from them, often hidden, perhaps cast into a form of darkness which gives them protection. Reflect that light back to them, so they themselves know of their capability, their goodness. And, for those of faith, may we see that light comes from God which can be seen in the darkness of life. We all have those spaces where the light is faint, perhaps indistinguishable from what others may call darkness. We can both exist in that darkness and light: in our times of crisis and happiness, God is there, even if we can’t see the situation that clearly.
I enjoyed the dialogue