St John, Apostle and Evangelist

Word for the day

“God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.” 1 John 4:16

Life

John, son of Zebedee and brother of James, was a fisherman of Galilee called by Jesus with his brother from their boat (Mark 1:19–20). Jesus called the two brothers Boanerges, sons of thunder (Mark 3:17). With Peter and James he witnessed the raising of Jairus's daughter, the Transfiguration and the agony in Gethsemane.

The Church has traditionally identified him with the disciple whom Jesus loved, who leaned on Jesus' breast at the Last Supper, stood at the foot of the Cross, and received Mary as his mother (John 19:26–27). On Easter morning he ran to the tomb with Peter, saw and believed (John 20:2–8).

Tradition attributes to him the Fourth Gospel, three letters and the Book of Revelation, and says that he lived to old age at Ephesus. His Gospel and letters are full of the themes of light, life, truth and above all love.

Lessons

Close to the heart of Jesus

Prayer as resting on His breast.

Faithful at the Cross

John did not run away.

Taking Mary home

Every disciple receives Mary as mother.

God is love

The heart of his message.

Stories

At the foot of the Cross (history)

Jesus, seeing His mother and the disciple whom He loved, said to her: Woman, here is your son; and to the disciple: Here is your mother. And from that hour the disciple took her into his own home (John 19:26–27).

Little children, love one another (tradition)

St Jerome records that when John was very old at Ephesus, he was carried to the assembly and repeated only: little children, love one another; when asked why, he said: it is the Lord's command, and if this alone is done, it is enough.

Homily

1. The beloved disciple

Every Christian can lean on the heart of Jesus.

2. Mary in our home

At the Cross John received Mary.

3. Love one another

His final message.

Dear friends, St John was a young fisherman whom Jesus called the son of thunder, but he became the apostle of love. The Gospel calls him the disciple whom Jesus loved. At the Last Supper he leaned on Jesus' breast.

When the other disciples fled, John stood at the foot of the Cross with Mary. Jesus gave them to each other: here is your son, here is your mother. And from that hour John took her into his home (John 19:27).

His letters sum up the Gospel in three words: God is love (1 John 4:16). Tradition says that in old age he repeated only: little children, love one another.

In this Christmas season, let us learn from John to rest on the heart of Jesus in prayer, to take Mary into our homes, and to love one another, because this is the Lord's command. Amen.

Prayer

God our Father, through the apostle John you revealed the mysteries of your Word; grant that we may understand what he taught and live in the love he proclaimed. Amen.