Gospel for 10 February, 2007

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God; all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. The true light that enlightens every man was coming into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world knew him not. He came to his own home, and his own people received him not. But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God; who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John bore witness to him, and cried, "This was he of whom I said, `He who comes after me ranks before me, for he was before me.'") And from his fulness have we all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. No one has ever seen God; the only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known. (John 1:1-18 RSV)

"...to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave the power to become children of God..." That's a pretty impressive title, the choldren of God. But what does it entitle us to? It entitles us to live lives of selflessness that are dedicated to serving others. It entitles us to be hated by the rulers and authorities of this world. It entitles us to be despised and beaten, persecuted and reviled. It entitles us to give up our lives that others might live. In short, it entitles us to the same special place in the heart of the Father that Jesus has.