Come to the Light: Reflections on the Gospel of John

by Brendan Byrne SJ

Overview

These profound and inspiring reflections on the Gospel of John will open to preachers, religious, and parish groups interested in Scripture, the treasures that the Fourth Gospel contains for the life of the world.

Brendan Byrne draws on the insights in Life Abounding, his academic commentary on the Fourth Gospel, to enrich the understanding of non-scholars in Come to the Light. Discussion questions provided at the end of each talk serve as a starting point for the reader’s personal contemplation.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780814666494
Publisher:	Liturgical Press
Publication date:	07/19/2021
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	396,579
File size:	764 KB
Age Range:	3 Months to 18 Years

About the Author

Brendan Byrne, SJ, is a professor of New Testament at Jesuit Theological College, within the United Faculty of Theology, Parkville, Melbourne, Australia. He is the author of Romans (1996) in the Sacra Pagina series, Lifting the Burden: Reading Matthew's Gospel in the Church Today (2004), A Costly Freedom: A Theological Reading of Mark's Gospel (2008), Life Abounding: A Reading of John’s Gospel (2014), and The Hospitality of God: A Reading of Luke's Gospel (2015), published by Liturgical Press.

Table of Contents

Contents

Preface vii

1   Prologue 1: John 1:1-13 1
2   Prologue 2: John 1:14-18 6
3   Call of the Disciples: John 1:37-51 11
4   The Wedding at Cana: John 2:1-11 19
5   Nicodemus Comes to the Light: John 3:1-21 24
6   Jesus and the Woman of Samaria: John 4:5-42 31
7   The Royal Official: John 4:46-54 40
8   The Bread of Life: John 6:1-71 44
9   Jesus and the Accused Woman: John 8:1-11 54
10   The Man Born Blind: John 9:1-41 58
11   The Raising of Lazarus: John 11:1-44 66
12   Jesus Washes His Disciples’ Feet: John 13:1-17 73
13   The Prayer of Jesus: John 17:1-26 79
14   Jesus on Trial: John 18:28–19:16 83
15   Jesus Crucified: John 19:17-42 89
16   At the Empty Tomb: John 20:1-18 96
17   The Risen Lord in Jerusalem: John 20:19-31 102
18   The Risen Lord in Galilee: John 21:1-25 106

Literature Cited and Further Reading 112
Scripture Index 113
Subject Index 117

Editorial Reviews

"The reflections on John's Gospel contained in this book are written with beautiful lucidity and depth. The authorial combination of an eminent New Testament scholar and a Jesuit priest is incomparable, offering incisive commentary on the text alongside engaged reflection, from within the Ignatian tradition, on its profound meaning for the reader. The book is a great gift to the church across denominational divides and different spiritual traditions, enabling a prayerful and transformative reading of the Fourth Gospel."


"Many people are drawn to the Gospel of John for its rich symbolism, its characters and the rather extended discussions Jesus has with these characters, such as Nicodemus, the Woman of Samaria, and the man born blind. This volume by a renowned biblical scholar, Brendan Byrne, offers spiritual nourishment born of many years of experience in retreat work. In a very readable style, Byrne invites readers to journey through the Gospel and to 'overhear' what is being said, and to personally ponder the deep gifts that Jesus offers. The questions at the end of each chapter ask you and me to engage with this ancient text to discover what it can offer in the twenty-first century. I could take this book and make a retreat with little more guidance."


"Long recognition of the Gospel of John as the 'spiritual Gospel' has tended to make interpretations 'otherworldly.' Brendan Byrne's reflections, based on his long-nourished understanding of the Johannine text, overcome this tendency. This beautiful book, written with a simplicity and directness rare in Johannine studies, shows that the Fourth Gospel can 'meet disciples where they are.'"


"Father Brendan Byrne, SJ, is one of those rare scholars with the ability to translate modern biblical scholarship into meaningful, down-to-earth reflections for non-professionals. This book, which drew out of the author's retreat conferences and his own Jesuit Ignatian spirituality, is a beautiful presentation of the Fourth Gospel for spiritual reflection. A book to savor rather than simply read!"


"Possibly only Brendan Byrne could have written this remarkable book, with its serious and attentive scholarship, lightly worn as always; the author shows once more his immense gift of drawing the reader's attention to unsuspected depths in John's Gospel. Again and again the reader will find themselves brought up short by a fresh insight, coming from a deep grasp of the text and its Old Testament background. We are also given happy glimpses of the author's own inner journey, which greatly help our reading of the Fourth Gospel. At the end of each short chapter there are carefully chosen questions-for-reflection which gently help the reader into a contemplative grasp of the text of the gospel."


"Byrne's invitation to 'come to the light' plays out in fresh, informative, and enlightening readings of John's infinitely rich and beloved gospel. Highly recommended for personal or parish Bible study."


"A deep and inspiring set of meditations on this profound gospel."
The Bible Today
 


"This volume distills the sometimes-meandering text of John into eighteen short reflections on selected narratives, concentrating largely on the 'signs' stories. It is a truly fresh interpretation."
Catholic Books Review

"This volume is an excellent pastoral resource."
Catholic Biblical Quarterly

 

From the Publisher

"Many people are drawn to the Gospel of John for its rich symbolism, its characters and the rather extended discussions Jesus has with these characters, such as Nicodemus, the Woman of Samaria, and the man born blind. This volume by a renowned biblical scholar, Brendan Byrne, offers spiritual nourishment born of many years of experience in retreat work. In a very readable style, Byrne invites readers to journey through the Gospel and to 'overhear' what is being said, and to personally ponder the deep gifts that Jesus offers. The questions at the end of each chapter ask you and me to engage with this ancient text to discover what it can offer in the twenty-first century. I could take this book and make a retreat with little more guidance."

Australian Catholic University - Professor Mary L. Coloe

"Father Brendan Byrne, SJ, is one of those rare scholars with the ability to translate modern biblical scholarship into meaningful, down-to-earth reflections for non-professionals. This book, which drew out of the author's retreat conferences and his own Jesuit Ignatian spirituality, is a beautiful presentation of the Fourth Gospel for spiritual reflection. A book to savor rather than simply read!"

Ronald D. Witherup

"The reflections on John's Gospel contained in this book are written with beautiful lucidity and depth. The authorial combination of an eminent New Testament scholar and a Jesuit priest is incomparable, offering incisive commentary on the text alongside engaged reflection, from within the Ignatian tradition, on its profound meaning for the reader. The book is a great gift to the church across denominational divides and different spiritual traditions, enabling a prayerful and transformative reading of the Fourth Gospel."

Trinity College-The University of Melbourne - Revd Professor Dorothy A. Lee

"Long recognition of the Gospel of John as the 'spiritual Gospel' has tended to make interpretations 'otherworldly.' Brendan Byrne's reflections, based on his long-nourished understanding of the Johannine text, overcome this tendency. This beautiful book, written with a simplicity and directness rare in Johannine studies, shows that the Fourth Gospel can 'meet disciples where they are.'"

Senior Professional Fellow, Catholic Theological College, University of Divinity, Victoria, Australia - Francis J. Moloney

"Byrne's invitation to 'come to the light' plays out in fresh, informative, and enlightening readings of John's infinitely rich and beloved gospel. Highly recommended for personal or parish Bible study."

Author of "Belonging to Borders: A Sojourn in the Celtic Tradition" - Bonnie Thurston

"Possibly only Brendan Byrne could have written this remarkable book, with its serious and attentive scholarship, lightly worn as always; the author shows once more his immense gift of drawing the reader's attention to unsuspected depths in John's Gospel. Again and again the reader will find themselves brought up short by a fresh insight, coming from a deep grasp of the text and its Old Testament background. We are also given happy glimpses of the author's own inner journey, which greatly help our reading of the Fourth Gospel. At the end of each short chapter there are carefully chosen questions-for-reflection which gently help the reader into a contemplative grasp of the text of the gospel."

Campion Hall, Oxford - Nicholas King