 |
| An AI generated image of me, Bible studying. It even has the bald spot in the right place! |
Our little Bible study is wonderful. Every day, as I study, cross-reference, and watch videos, I find myself living and breathing sacred scripture. The Gospel According to St. John has always been my favorite. There is a certain beauty, not just in the message. Of course, as a believing Catholic man, a Christian, I find it to be so. But there is also the delivery, the writing. John has a way with words. I've always known that. I've always felt that way. Earlier this year I studied The Gospel According to St. Matthew, then The Gospel According to St. Mark. Both studies increased my faith. There's a line in Mark, it's at 9:24. A father wants his son healed. Jesus tells him, "All things are possible for one who believes." The man replies in what can be a sincere prayer of desire for deepened faith, "Help my unbelief!" The Bible work is deepening my faith. It is helping to find whatever unbelief lives in me, and "helping it."
John is really a different book than the others, and it's clear to me how it's different. That's probably—no, not probably—that's why I like it more than the others. John's gospel was written last of the four. Whether it was written or passed on orally, I don't know what he had access to, but John knew what people had access to in the way of information about Jesus. He must have felt the story the other three told needed something more. I'm going to go out on a limb and say the other three let us get to know Jesus, about his ministry, and about his death and resurrection. John seems to want us to know Him better, and more, John wants us to fall in love with Jesus, and for those of us who love Jesus already, to fall more deeply in love with Him.
Every day I fall more deeply in love with Jesus. Every day I am more devoutly Christian and Catholic because of this time I'm spending in the Gospel According to St. John. St. John has helped my unbelief tremendously.
May I also take a moment and thank my Bible study friends. I am privileged to share this beautiful walk of faith, as we walk with John, with you. I am honored, tickled, and thankful. You bless me and I appreciate it.
Thank you Jesus. Thank you St. John. Thank you Bible study friends.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment