As we come to the end of another year, we need to hear John's message about Jesus the Word, bringing light into the darkness of our world. We have seen much darkness in recent days, and we fear that there may be even greater darkness ahead. But the Word is "a light that shines in the dark, a light that darkness cannot overpower."

As the first reading reminds us "several antichrists have already appeared." These are all the agents of greed and corruption, agents of injustice and exploitation. These are not just faraway threats. They have always been with us, and each one of us is tainted with them.

But, through our baptism and our incorporation into Christ, we have been endowed with the grace and truth that come to us through Him. We are called, like John the Baptist, to be witnesses of light bringing hope and confidence among those who live in fear and darkness. As John tells us elsewhere, true love casts out all fear.