Commentary on the Gospel of
In this Gospel reading the words appear to be from John the Baptist but here, as in some other sections of John’s gospel, it seems that some passages are overlaid with John’s own commentary. Whatever the reality, the message is clear: God gives Jesus ‘the Spirit without reserve’ so that ‘anyone who believes in the Son has eternal life.’ We are told that whether people refuse to accept Jesus’ teaching, whether they accept with reservation or with complete confidence, nothing can affect the power and completeness of the Spirit at work in Jesus. It is we who have to choose between accepting or rejecting Jesus as the Son of the living and loving God. The passage is reminiscent of Deuteronomy 30 v. 15…20: ‘Today, I am giving you a choice between good and evil, between life and death (15). ... ‘and I call heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Choose life. Love the Lord your God…( 19, 20) Let us pray for the courage to choose life, to-day and every day.
