Words of Life

"Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs" (Hebrews 1:1-4)

The Good News is light for a darkened world, brighter than all of the stars, and brighter than the sun. Its light is the light of Christ, in whom there is life, grace and truth (John 1:1-18). Christ came into the world to show us that God is, and that there is a good life that we can live, if we follow Christ and receive the rich grace from on high. Darkness consists of those things that bind and imprison humanity—weakness, sinfulness, immorality, degradation, captivity, suffering, and death. God draws us out of this darkness toward the empowering light through the "words of life" (John 6:68) that Jesus spoke to us in the Gospels and through his apostles in the New Testament writings—the writings which testify to the fulfillment of those things promised in the Old Testament time and again for thousands of years. And though the New Testament was completed in the 1st Century AD, almost two thousand years ago, the words of Jesus continue to live, as Jesus Himself still lives and abides on earth, since He has given us His Spirit through our baptism into Him: "As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world" (John 9:5). The light of the Good News is freedom for every person who believes: "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8:31).

The world is not a hopeless place, for there is a God who is watching over it, there are men and women who bear the Words of Christ, who bear Christ Himself in their hearts, and who strive to practice the virtues taught in the Scriptures.

And Virtue is more than a mere empty sound,
His practice through life man may make it;
And though oft, ere he yet the divine one has found,
He may stumble, he still may o'ertake it.
And that which the wise in his wisdom ne'er knew
Can be done by the mind that is childlike and true.

And a God, too, there is, with a purpose sublime,
Though frail may be reason's dominion;
High over the regions of space and time
The noblest of thoughts waves its pinion;
And tho' all things in ceaseless succession may roll,
Yet constant forever remains a calm soul.

—"Words of Faith" by Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805)