Seven hints for reading and studying the seven letters
- Size up the situations in the communities
What is the positive and negative in each community? On which point
must each strive to make greater efforts? What dangers threaten it?
Compare with situation today.
- Facing the situation
In what way does John ask them to face their situation? What resources
does each community have to overcome its problems? And what about us?
How do we face our problems today?
- Be nourished from the Old Testament
Which passage and events of the Old Testament are quoted or evoked in
each letter? What elements from the past does John reawaken in the
people? How can we today recall the memory and find again the presence of
God in our history?
- Deepen your faith in Jesus
What titles is Jesus given in each letter? What is the power and
meaning of each title for the life of the people? Compare with the titles
which we commonly give to Jesus nowadays.
- Savour the images and the metaphors
What are the metaphors and images used in each letter? From where are
they drawn - from the Old Testament, from life, from nature, from the
culture of the people? In the promises to the steadfast, the seven
letters indicate the following images: the tree of life (2:7), God's
paradise (2:7), the second death (2:11), the hidden manna (2:17), the white
stone (2:17), the new name (2:17; 3:12), the iron sceptre (2:27), the
clay pots (2:27), the morning star (2:28), the white robe (3:5), the
book of life (3:5), the column in the temple of God (3:12), the new
Jerusalem (3:12) and sitting with Jesus on the throne of the Father (3:21).
These few examples give an idea of the rich images contained in these
seven letters.
- Get courage from the promises to the unconquered
What promises does each letter make to the steadfast? In what way
does a promise help to carry on the struggle and bear up with the
persecution? Which promise can encourage us, today, in our own situation?
- Imitate the example of John
Let us get information about the concrete situation of the
communities. From time to time let us gather together and write a short letter to
another community which is in need of comfort.
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