Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist
Biographical Information about St. John the Apostle
Readings for Wednesday in the Octave of Christmas
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Jn 1:1-4
The introduction of the First Letter of John describes the author as not only a believer in Jesus but also an eyewitness and contemporary of the Lord. He describes the unifying force of faith in the Father and his joy in passing on the great news of the Savior.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The psalm of praise echoes the gladness that St. John writes about in the first reading. Who would not want an ally like the omnipotent God of justice?
Gospel Jn 20:1a and 2-8
The Gospel story of the discovery of the empty tomb describes St. John (the disciple whom Jesus loved). It is interesting that St. John arrives first but recognizes St. Peter’s primacy, waiting for him to enter the tomb first. Note also that when St. John entered the tomb, he immediately understood what happened and “believed.”
Reflection:
It is appropriate that we a Church remember this day St. John the Apostle. He was the youngest of the twelve. He was the author of not only the Gospel of Faith, but also two epistles and the book of Revelations. His faith community tackled the earliest and, in many ways, the hardest questions about the life and mission of Christ and set down that understanding for our posterity.
We will not try to unravel all of the messages the St. John and his followers left for us. Volumes and volumes have been written about these works by scholarly people. However, what we find in the scripture passages we are given today is something very important. The last verse of the first reading from the introduction of the First Letter of St. John gives emotion to his whole purpose.
“We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.”
What do we suppose was John’s joy that is made complete in the writing of his experience and understanding of the Lord? In our Christmas season, we are still feeling the afterglow of the warmth and love we experiences in the Lord’s Nativity. We understand anew the gift God has given us in his Son, and we rejoice in the life that flows from that gift.
We hear what John says and suddenly it all makes sense. He was there. He was with the Lord as he walked and talked; as he preached and healed. He experienced the profound amazement of the man and God; the profound sadness of the Passion. He was there at the empty tomb where the source of his happiness had been laid. He saw and believed in that empty tomb and his joy soared.
What we receive from John in the short sentence above is like what we might feel when we get the very best news we can hope for; news that changes our lives – like the birth of our child, like wedding or promotion at work. When we get the very best news isn’t sharing it the first thing we want to do? Does not having others rejoice with us heighten our own joy? Does it not make our joy complete?
This is perhaps one of John’s most important contributions – his joy in the Savior. Let us share that joy.
Pax
Biographical Information about St. John the Apostle
Readings for Wednesday in the Octave of Christmas
Commentary:
Reading 1 1 Jn 1:1-4
The introduction of the First Letter of John describes the author as not only a believer in Jesus but also an eyewitness and contemporary of the Lord. He describes the unifying force of faith in the Father and his joy in passing on the great news of the Savior.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12
R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
The psalm of praise echoes the gladness that St. John writes about in the first reading. Who would not want an ally like the omnipotent God of justice?
Gospel Jn 20:1a and 2-8
The Gospel story of the discovery of the empty tomb describes St. John (the disciple whom Jesus loved). It is interesting that St. John arrives first but recognizes St. Peter’s primacy, waiting for him to enter the tomb first. Note also that when St. John entered the tomb, he immediately understood what happened and “believed.”
Reflection:
It is appropriate that we a Church remember this day St. John the Apostle. He was the youngest of the twelve. He was the author of not only the Gospel of Faith, but also two epistles and the book of Revelations. His faith community tackled the earliest and, in many ways, the hardest questions about the life and mission of Christ and set down that understanding for our posterity.
We will not try to unravel all of the messages the St. John and his followers left for us. Volumes and volumes have been written about these works by scholarly people. However, what we find in the scripture passages we are given today is something very important. The last verse of the first reading from the introduction of the First Letter of St. John gives emotion to his whole purpose.
“We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.”
What do we suppose was John’s joy that is made complete in the writing of his experience and understanding of the Lord? In our Christmas season, we are still feeling the afterglow of the warmth and love we experiences in the Lord’s Nativity. We understand anew the gift God has given us in his Son, and we rejoice in the life that flows from that gift.
We hear what John says and suddenly it all makes sense. He was there. He was with the Lord as he walked and talked; as he preached and healed. He experienced the profound amazement of the man and God; the profound sadness of the Passion. He was there at the empty tomb where the source of his happiness had been laid. He saw and believed in that empty tomb and his joy soared.
What we receive from John in the short sentence above is like what we might feel when we get the very best news we can hope for; news that changes our lives – like the birth of our child, like wedding or promotion at work. When we get the very best news isn’t sharing it the first thing we want to do? Does not having others rejoice with us heighten our own joy? Does it not make our joy complete?
This is perhaps one of John’s most important contributions – his joy in the Savior. Let us share that joy.
Pax
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