Daily Devotion

“In Confucian classics, I see the pursuit of benevolence and righteousness; in Mahayana Buddhism, I see the grand aspiration to save all sentient beings. I do not consider these heretical; on the contrary, they are echoes of the true light that illuminates everyone in different cultures. Christ's coming is not to destroy these desires for truth, but to fulfill them and bring them into a more complete and clear divine revelation.”

Timothy Richard · English translation of the Awakening of Faith in the Mahayana

Scripture

John 1:9 That light is the true light, which gives light to everyone who comes into the world.

Reflection

Though the world has its limitations, God's "true light" is never extinguished by cultural or geographical barriers. Whether it's the ancients' pursuit of benevolence and compassion, or the goodness we glimpse in our daily work and service, these are all faint echoes of this true light. Scripture reminds us not to close ourselves off from the truth with narrow-mindedness, but to humbly and gratefully recognize and accept the light that has already shone upon all people in all things and people.