Inspired by the image of the San Damiano Crucifix, which had such a profound influence on Saint Francis of Assisi, I began to wonder whether the Gospel of John might have been written with the priesthood of the New Covenant as its central theme. Determined to explore this idea further, I immediately turned to the Gospel of John.

However, from its very opening, the Gospel of John pointed directly to Genesis Chapter 1. I then went through a process of trial and error and was able to receive some feedback. As I did so, I realised that it might be worthwhile to examine the narrative flow of Genesis slowly. I began to think that this might be the shortest route.

God completed all creation, finished all His work, and rested on the seventh day, setting that day apart as holy. Human beings were created to celebrate that day, which God had set apart, together with Him. We came to know this through God becoming human and coming to earth as Jesus Christ. Furthermore, Jesus taught us that God is our Father in heaven.

It is written that Jesus, the only Son of God, "to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God" (John 1:12). I believe that God desired to celebrate the sanctified day together with humanity in a father-child relationship. And Jesus, who "gave power," imparted to his disciples the specific training necessary for people to become children of God.

We do not know specifically what characteristics the man created in God's image possessed, but since Jesus told us that "God is spirit" (John 4:24), we understand that the likeness to God bestowed upon man lies in his spirit. However, I suspect this is something that people have sensed for a very long time. On the other hand, just as the theme of free will is often debated, it has become possible to consider that there may have been a risk involved in endowing humans with a spirit to make them in God's likeness.

With the advent of AI, we are experiencing that risk first-hand. AI is rapidly surpassing human knowledge. Above all, what troubles people is that whilst AI learns autonomously and provides solutions to numerous problems, deriving optimised conclusions in a short time, the path by which it reached those conclusions is completely invisible to humans.

Even amidst such circumstances, products are being rapidly commercialised and marketed for profit, and the global economy continues to turn on this basis. Many experts fear that society has become akin to a dangerous laboratory. Furthermore, the reality persists that there are even those who misuse these achievements to fulfil their own interests and desires.

We who have accepted Jesus and believe in His name wish, precisely in such an environment, to walk the path of becoming children of God, trusting in the fact that we have been given the "power to become children of God." That path must be the one left by Jesus, who said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). In any case, I wish to press on.

Maria K.M.