Gospel: John 3:31-36

We know the last witness of John the Baptist concerning Jesus: “It is necessary that He grow greater and I grow smaller!” This phrase is the guide for all those who want to follow Jesus. The verses of today’s Gospel help the communities to better understand the importance of the things that Jesus did and taught. 

 

- Throughout the Gospel of John, there often appears conflict between Jesus and the Jews who challenge the words of Jesus. Jesus speaks of what He hears from the Father. His enemies, not opening themselves to God and because they cling to their own ideas here on earth, are not capable of understanding  the deep significance of the things that Jesus lives, does and says.

 

- Jesus gives us the Spirit without reserve. John’s Gospel uses many images and symbols to signify the action of the Spirit. The Spirit is given to us to recall and understand the full significance of the words of Jesus. Here is fulfilled the liberty of the Spirit of which Saint Paul speaks: “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor 3:17).

 

- Finally, the Father loves the Son. The Father loves the Son and places all things in His hand. Saint Paul will say that the fullness of divinity dwells in Jesus. This is why the one who accepts Jesus and believes in Jesus has eternal life, because God is life. The one who does not accept and believe in Jesus, places himself outside.