That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life -- the life was made manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us -- that which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him is no darkness at all.
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. - 1 Jn 1: 1-10
I got to verse 5, and almost quit reading. Then I read on and saw that St. John is referring to the darkness of sin, and perhaps especially of unacknowledged sin. I suppose the one positive thing that remains true for me is my inability to deny my sinfulness. Yet Jesus cleanses me from my sin, and calls me into his righteousness. Indeed, this is why he came to us.
Now if only some light will shine into the rest of this darkness.
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