Feast of St. John, Apostle and evangelist
“This is John, who reclined on the Lord’s breast at supper, the blessed Apostle, to whom celestial secrets were revealed and who spread the words of life through all the world.” Today’s Entrance Antiphon for this Feast of St. John introduces us to this beloved apostle. It also brings to mind that intimate image of the apostle laying his head on Jesus’ breast – so close, even physically close, to this Word Made Flesh whose birth we celebrated just two days ago and continue to celebrate throughout this liturgical season of Christmas.
What really stands out to me with today’s readings is the humanness of God in our midst. As the beginning of the first Letter of St. John so beautifully illustrates, God was for the first time able to be seen and heard and touched: “What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life– “ (vs 1) Jesus was physically present to the first apostles in a very tangible way that truly introduced our God in the flesh. And St. John helped spread that awe-inspiring news that we continue to celebrate today.
Our gospel reading from John (20:1a and 2-8) somewhat jarringly takes us to the Resurrection story while still in the Christmas season. Yet, very appropriately, again reminds us of the intimacy the disciples shared with Jesus and their profound love for him as they ran to the tomb to see for their own eyes what Mary Magdalene had just proclaimed – that the tomb was empty. “Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.”
So, what about us? What about you and I? Two thousand years later do we also believe in the Word Made Flesh, The Risen One? To this I hear Jesus’ words later in this same gospel as spoken to Thomas (20:29): “Have you come to believe because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and have believed.” By the grace of God, may it be so. Merry Christmas.
~Eileen Miller