In our first reading today, the Presbyter warns again the “antichrist.” The antichrist or “deceiver” is one or more who have left the community and gone out into the world. They deny “Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh.” They do not deny Christ but they seem to deny the incarnation and they refuse to accept that Jesus’ earthly life was important, revelatory or salvific. Because they reject the full truth about Jesus Christ, they are called the antichrist.
The author of this letter calls himself the Presbyter: “The Presbyter to the chosen Lady and her children whom I love in truth.” (2 John 1:1). The chosen or elect Lady is a way to refer to specific Christian community. Her children would then be the members of that community. The Presbyter or Elder would be some respective leader of the Johannine community.
The Presbyter is encouraging the community to remain in the truth, the truth that is Jesus Christ. This Presbyter rejoices because in fact they are “walking in the truth,” that is they are walking in the way of Jesus Christ by loving one another and helping those in need.
The Presbyter is arguing against a too abstract understanding of truth and of Christianity. We can make Christianity so abstract or ephemeral that it loses its concrete challenge and bite. In Johannine theology truth is not an abstract concept but Jesus Christ in the flesh. Pilate tried to avoid this truth by cynically asking Jesus two questions:
“Then you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say I am a king. For this I was born and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” Pilate said to him, “What is truth?” (John 18:37-38).
The irony here is that truth, Jesus, is standing right in front of him and Pilate refuses to acknowledge it. Jesus is truth and reveals to us the one true God. Jesus tells us: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, then you will also know my Father.” (John 14:6). Let us today continue to walk in the truth by following the way of Jesus, the way to the one true God and eternal life.
Image: “I Am the Way, The Truth & The Life. Choose Life.” by J316 is marked with CC0 1.0.