The gospel of John begins with “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This is cyclical, rhythmic, and and overarchingly misrepresenting of what might have been intended. When the John writers used logos, which got translated to word, they did not mean Jesus. It may have been best not to translate logos at all. But of course, we are going to try to flesh it out. Ha.

Words are infinitely creative; logos may be more intimately connected to becoming or expressing. Really what we are trying to say is that logos is neither flat nor fixed. The question, then, is how do we continue to evolve what is always evolving and make space for those who are fearful of change? What wisdom from 2000+ years ago can we apply to help us adapt to a changing, dynamic world?

Logos is indicative of mind, and we humans are indicative of that mind becoming conscious of itself. We are relying on a tradition, not the tradition, to help us evolve wisdom and love. That is what it means for the word to become flesh. The word (read: wisdom, becoming, evolution) lives in us through the ways that we love.

Above all else, the Gospel of John is about radical inclusion - self with others, self with self, self with God/Sacred Mystery/Reality. In this divided world, I can think of no better message.

Thanks for listening!