With so much going on in our lives, with so many “voices” demanding our attention, we often fail to recognize “the one” whom John is talking about in the fourth Gospel.
We expect “the one” to make himself known in the extraordinary, the mystical, the other-worldly. We listen for “the one” to preach in thunder, to rule with fire, to condemn with authority. But “the one among us” whom John points to doesn’t seem to work that way.
“The one” whom John heralds dwells in our homes and hearts. “The one” is found in the ordinary, the hidden, the simple. “The one” is the child we hug every night before bedtime. “The one” is the grieving friend we console. “The one” is the homeless soul who reaches out to us for help. “The one” is the humble saint who selflessly gives of his or her time to catch the stumbling, lift up the struggling, provide a safe place for the vulnerable. “The one” mirrors the compassion of God in our midst.
“The one”—God’s Christ—dwells among us. Emmanuel, “God with us,” is present in every act of kindness, in every sacrifice made for the good of another, in every moment of
forgiveness and healing.
We know too well that the year ahead promises to be a challenging time of continued struggle and division. May our hearts and spirits be especially tuned to the voice of “the one among us” as we navigate a straight path to realize the hope and compassion of God’s kingdom in this new year
