31/12/ 2022

We are not certain that the John who wrote this letter is the same John who wrote the fourth Gospel. We can be certain that his aim is to reinforce the same teaching that is that Gospel. The first century Christians had either known Christ himself or been taught by those who had spoken with the Lord either before or after the Resurrection and we can be sure that their eagerness for the "second coming" was a huge part of their faith which had been nurtured by the Apostles.

The Apostles had experienced the emptiness that was a result of the Crucifixion. All their belief and hopes for life were vested in Jesus who was to cast out the pagans and lead God's people, the descendants of Abraham into a new Empire which was to be  greater than Romans, Hellenes, Egyptians  Assyrians and Chaldeans had ever been. The Resurrection took them completely by surprise and by its Glory thrust them into some understanding of what they had been witnessing for the last three years. Jesus was not just the Charismatic Rabbi, who had inexplicably drawn them to himself, he was God incarnate walking on earth.

The Mission began in the temple and quickly spread but those who first spread the Gospel were convinced more than ever by the power of the Resurrection that there was to be a second coming by Jesus in their lifetimes and so John begins "These are the last days". He meant exactly what he said and the believers to whom he was writing had no doubts as they responded to his words "Maranatha!"

Dear Lord only you know what is best for your creation and for us who are your people here and now living as you yourself did so long ago. We have experienced so many disappointments by our faulty interpretations of your will and not least by the sin seen in your Church today and over the centuries. May Mary, who cared for you as only a human mother could, continue to implore your mercy which is the very being of you our Father, Son and Holy Spirit the Evergreater God Lord the Almighty Creator of Heavens and Earth and still pleased with all that is good