His main task is to make known the unknown (Jn1:31). Two
Faith as foundation of a new existence There is no doubt at all that Jesus is the discriminating point that challenges the audience to take an existential decision: either with him or against him. Such decision is the act of faith: “God gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life” (Jn3:16). The act of faith is existential in the sense that it connotes a ‘passage’ from one existence to another. This radical change of life becomes clearer if we consider the attitude of Jesus’ opponents. In the Gospel we see that “their ‘freedom’ is nothing but ‘slavery’ (8:33); their ‘light’ is that of the ‘blinds’ (9:37-40). Their ‘truth’ is ‘lie’ (8:44); their ‘faithfulness’, ‘prostitution’ (8:41); their ‘holiness’, ‘sin’ (8:24.34.41). In other words, their existence (…) is an allurement perpetrated by the ‘father of lies’ (8:44). The act of faith of the disciples will suffer the severest test during the passion of Jesus. Peter’s denial and the fleeing of the twelve confirm this. Like a little flock they are scattered (16:32). Jesus himself in his farewell discourses leads the disciples through this time of troubles and indicates a new future of faith guided by the Holy Spirit. The light of the resurrection will give them new power to bear witness to Christ. The act of faith creates a distance between believers and the “world”. Faith demands a radical decision and demands also not to rely any longer on one’s own conviction (Jn3:6) and knowledge (see Jn3:10; 5:39; 7:48.52.; 9:29), but to transfer one’s own reliance to the witness of Jesus Christ. This decision is the starting point for a new life. It is only in this decision that we become fountains of living water, which can quench both our thirst and that of those whom we meet. ” Fr Magnante teaches New Testament Literature at Tangaza College, Nairobi. He holds a doctorate in Biblical theology. email: [email protected]
In this Year of Bible Women in theFaith
of his disciples, eager to know where Jesus used to stay are told: “come and you will see” (Jn1:39). They go with him and, immediately after, they are followed by three others (Jn1:4051). All these disciples go with Jesus to the wedding feast at Cana in Galilee. This movement towards Jesus finds finally its reason at the end of the episode when John makes the following comment: “He manifested his glory and his disciples believed in him” (Jn2:12). The connection between “believing” and “coming” becomes clearer in 6:35: “Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty”. Those who move toward Jesus and accept him fully for what he is can extinguish their hunger and quench their thirst. Hearing For a genuine journey of faith an external hearing of Jesus’ voice and words is not enough. To be an authentic hearing, it must be accompanied by internal openness and obeying (Cf. Jn5:24; 6:45; 8:43.47; 18:37).
Faith in the Gospel of John
By Fr Anthony Magnante
T
he evangelist John is, together with Paul, another theologian of faith in the New Testament. He states clearly his reason for writing: “These are
Whereas Paul develops his theology of faith in opposition to th