In St. John’s Gospel we hear: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory as of the Father’s only-begotten Son, full of grace and truth. 

The Prologue to John’s Gospel is one of the most profound and theologically rich passages in the Bible. It prompts reflection and is also mysterious. It invites us to come to know God in His essence through prayer.

The opening words, “In the beginning…,” echo the Book of Genesis, revealing the eternal and preexistent nature of the Son of God. St John understood that Jesus was the Word, eternally spoken by the Father, and co-existing with Jesus – forever. He saw that the Word had human nature, becoming flesh and dwelling among us.

These words came to St. John through contemplation. He had spent about three years with Jesus- the Word made flesh—walking with Him, listening to His teachings, and witnessing His miracles, His rejection, His suffering, His death, and His Resurrection. He stood with the others as Jesus ascended into Heaven and experienced the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost.

After Pentecost, St. John’s understanding of Jesus deepened. Through prayer and the celebration of the Eucharist, St. John discovered his Lord in an even more intimate and transformative way. The Word - Jesus, though no longer walking the earth, was now present within him. I like to believe the abiding presence of Jesus became more real to him than ever before.

Like St. John, we are called to know the  Word as He continues to dwell among us through the Sacraments, in prayer, in the Scriptures, and within our daily lives, witnessing our faith. We are invited to be transformed by His presence so that we may become His living members within the Church.

As we enter into 2026, allow yourselves to be drawn into the mysteries of the Incarnation and redemption. While our minds can grasp these mysteries to a certain extent, true understanding comes through infused contemplative knowledge, a gift of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.

Consider the gift of contemplative understanding he received, and ask God to give this gift to you. We are called to a life of inner union and contemplation with God. May St. John’s beautiful and mysterious words draw you deeper into prayer and into the mystery of the Word made flesh.

May you discover peace and joy in 2026.

Every Blessing

Father Paul