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A Reflection on John 8:31-59

“The truth will make you free.” (v 32)

The Pharisees are denying what they cannot, or will not, understand – they have become the children, not of God, not of Abraham, but of Satan, the father of lies (v 44). They “cannot bear to hear (Jesus’) word,” because it is truth, and the truth is a bright, blinding light in their darkness. “For every one who does evil hates the light, and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed” (3:20).

The darkness is in me. Like the Pharisees in Jesus’ time, it is so deep that I almost don’t realize it is there. I cover it with disingenuous works, short-lived coping mechanisms, and a false mask that sends the message to the world that, “everything is fine.” But Jesus sees through it all. His light is so bright that He can see into the depths, into the places in my heart that have believed and given into the father of lies.

Will I deny it like the Pharisees? Will I assert that everything is fine, that what I am doing is enough, that I don’t need to change, don’t need the light, because I have grown so accustomed to the darkness that not seeing is a comfort and to see would be too much?

Or will I look up and see the eyes of my gentle Savior, the one who has endured the cross and grave so that I would not have to stay in darkness but could, if I chose to, rise with Him in the light? He sees the darkness, sees the lies I have believed, and he reaches out his hand to me and whispers, “You don’t have to stay in slavery. The truth will make you free, I will make you free.”

Jesus, dispel the lies in my heart. I renounce Satan and all his empty promises. I ask the Father’s blessings on my heart so that I may always remember my true identity as His child and remain in Your Light.

Scripture quotations are from The Catholic Edition of the Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright ©1965, 1966 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America.  Used by permission.  All rights reserved worldwide.