22 The LORD created me at the beginning of his work,

the first of his acts of long ago.

23 Ages ago I was set up,

at the first, before the beginning of the earth.

24 When there were no depths I was brought forth,

when there were no springs abounding with water.

25 Before the mountains had been shaped,

before the hills, I was brought forth-

26 when he had not yet made earth and fields,

or the world's first bits of soil. (Prov. 8:22-26 NRSV)

The reading from Proverbs begins with a celebrated passage in which Lady Wisdom, a personification of wisdom that has been extolling the worth and rewards of wisdom, her worth and rewards (Prov. 8:6-21), declares that she was created at the beginning of God's creative work "before the beginning of the earth" (v. 23). She continues with her claim to have been present during God's creation of the world, "beside him, like a master worker" (v. 30):

27 When he established the heavens, I was there,

when he drew a circle on the face of the deep,

28 when he made firm the skies above,

when he established the fountains of the deep,

29 when he assigned to the sea its limit,

so that the waters might not transgress his command,

when he marked out the foundations of the earth,

30 then I was beside him, like a master worker;

and I was daily his delight,

rejoicing before him always,

31 rejoicing in his inhabited world

and delighting in the human race. (Prov. 8:27-31 NRSV)

In the Wisdom of Solomon, "Solomon" elaborates this theme, saying,

            I learned both what is secret and what is manifest,

for wisdom, the fashioner of all things, taught me. (Wisd. Sol. 7:21-22 NRSV)

Later he continues,

4 For she [wisdom] is an initiate in the knowledge of God,

and an associate in his works.

5 If riches are a desirable possession in life,

what is richer than wisdom, the active cause of all things?

6 And if understanding is effective,

who more than she is fashioner of what exists? (Wisd. Sol 8:4-6 NRSV)

It is perhaps a very small step to move from "The LORD by wisdom founded the earth" (Prov. 3:19) to the Lord by his Word (Logos) created the world. John's Gospel opens with that thought:

In the beginning was the Word (Logos), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He [the Word/Logos] was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him [the Word/Logos], and without him not one thing came into being" (Jn. 1:1-3a NRSV).

Fitting texts for the Feast of St. John!

The use of the term the Logos in the New Testament and related literature "shows traces of a way of thinking that was widespread in contemporary syncretism, as well as in Jewish wisdom literature and Philo, the most prominent feature of which is the concept of the Logos, the independent, personified "word' (of God): J 1:1a, b, c, 14. It is the distinctive teaching of the Fourth Gospel that this divine 'Word' took on human form in a historical person, that is, in Jesus. (Bauer/Arndt/Gingrich/Danker, Greek-English Lexicon).

The readings move quickly from a connection with the beginning of John's Gospel to one of the scenes at the Last Supper. Jesus concludes his discussion of the meaning of his action in washing the disciples' feet with emphasis on the need to receive him:

20 Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me." (Jn. 13:20 NRSV)

He then deals with a conspicuous example of one who did not (truly) receive him:

21 After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, "Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me." 22 The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23 One of his disciples-the one whom Jesus loved-was reclining next to him; 24 Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25 So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?" 26 Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27 After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, "Do quickly what you are going to do." 28 Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29 Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, "Buy what we need for the festival"; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30 So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. (Jn. 13:21-30 NRSV

He continues with focus on the meaning of what is to follow, "the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him" (v. 31), and he states "a new commandment, that you love one another" (v. 34):

31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, "Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32 If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33 Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the Jews so now I say to you, 'Where I am going, you cannot come.' 34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." (Jn. 13:31-35 NRSV)

Throughout his Gospel, John emphasizes Jesus' relation to God the Father, and our need to be related to God through him (Jesus). This brings us together as "one" (Jn. 17:22), and keeps us together through love (13:14; 17:21, 26 and passim).

Ronald D. Worden, Ph.D.

rdworden@hgst.edu

rworden@houston.rr.com