Readings: 1 John 1:1-4, Ps. 97:1-2,5-6,11-12, John 20:2-8
“They both ran, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first; and stooping to look in, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he did not go in.” (John 20:4-5)
Today, we celebrate St. John the Apostle. John was the closest disciple to Jesus. The life of St. John the Apostle reveals a powerful truth: Jesus Christ took on our human flesh; He grew up like us, had close friends, and experienced human feelings.
Was it necessary for Jesus to have had a best friend? Being completely human, Jesus needed to focus His circle of friends on twelve apostles, and within that group, there were three special ones; among these three, John was nicknamed “The Beloved.” While Jesus taught us to love our neighbours as ourselves, he did not say it was a sin to have very close friends. No one is an island; we cannot do without close friends.
Today’s celebration invites us to reflect deeply on those we consider friends. One way to recognise true friends is to look at those with whom we freely share our secrets. At the Last Supper, John was reclining close to Jesus, and Peter asked John to discover who would betray Him. Peter knew Jesus would not hide this information from John. He was right. Jesus confided in John. The person who betrayed Him is the one to whom He gave the bread dipped in wine. (John 13:23-26).
While other apostles fled during the Passion of Jesus, John stayed with Mary at the foot of the cross. John’s presence demonstrates that he was a true friend of Jesus. He was there when Jesus was “nothing”—he was present when Jesus was stripped, disfigured, and hung on the cross. Only when times are tough do you truly find out who your friends are. No wonder Jesus entrusted his mother to John.
Because Jesus was very close to John, some of Jesus’ disciples believed John would live forever. In John 21:21-23, we read: “When Peter saw him (John), he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said, ‘If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!’ The rumour spread among the brethren that this disciple would not die; however, Jesus did not say he would not die, but, ‘If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you?’”
When John wrote his letter (read in today’s first reading), he demonstrated that Jesus was not a figment of imagination. He said: “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands...” John could preach about Jesus because he knew Jesus. Do you know Jesus? Could that be why you find it hard to tell others about Him? Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
As part of our Christmas celebrations, the story of John the Beloved encourages us to open our hearts to love Jesus as a friend and brother. It is not enough to eat rice and chicken to celebrate Jesus’s birth; we must build personal relationships with Jesus. You, too, can become Jesus’s best friend today.
Let us pray: O God, who through the blessed Apostle John has unlocked for us the secrets of your Word, grant, we pray, that we may grasp with proper understanding what he has so marvellously brought to our ears. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saint John, Apostle, Evangelist – Feast. Liturgical Colour: White. Bible Study: 1 John 1:1-4, Ps. 97:1-2,5-6,11-12, John 20:2-8)
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu