“I am, the name of God”
Jesus clearly evokes his divinity in today's gospel. “Before Abraham was, I am.” The preexistence of Jesus implies his divinity and his equality with God.
Jesus identifies himself with God, the one who revealed his name to the people through Moses in Exodus 3:13-15. God said to Moses, “I am he who is.”
“I am” is the same God
in the book of Genesis, which makes its alliance with Abraham and his descendants. Jesus is the fulfillment of this covenant.
The “I am” of Jesus in John 8:51-59 is the same as that of the burning bush. Yes, “I am” is the name God gives to himself. He is God and does not need violence to exist. Jesus is therefore the God of Moses, Abraham and Isaac. In Jesus it is God himself who speaks to us. He is the God of life. If we believe in him, even if we suffer or die in this world, neither suffering nor death has any power over us. Jesus is very clear when he says, I am the door”, “I am the life”, “I am the word”, “I am the bread”. “I am the way, the truth and the eternal life”, Jesus is God.
May the peace of God descend upon us in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Fr. Georges Roger Bidzogo sac