The writings of St. John echo down the ages to teach us today
Reflections on the readings for the Feast of St. John (December 27, 2018): 1 JN 1:1-4; PS 97:1-2,5-6,11-12; JN 20:1,2-8
MISSIO offers “Mission In Scripture” to nurture a missionary heart, providing reflections on the missionary themes in the readings of Sundays, Feast Days and Holy Days.
Today we celebrate the Apostle of Charity, who was also known as the beloved disciple: St. John.
As one of Jesus’ closest friends, John showed his deep loyalty to our Savior by remaining with Him as He hung on the cross unlike the other Apostles who ran away. John looked after the Blessed Mother after Christ entrusted her to him – and him to her. He is traditionally thought to be one of the four Evangelists who wrote a Gospel of Jesus Christ. He also wrote the Book of Revelation and three epistles. John’s writing is as profound as his words are simple. “What was from the beginning… concerns the Word of life – for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us” (1 John 1:1, 2).
There is a well-known story that John was thrown into a vat of boiling oil for his fidelity to our Lord, but was unscathed. It is believed that he was then exiled to the island of Patmos and lived a long life, always preaching the need for Christ’s followers to be people of faith, hope, and, above all, love.
Suggested missionary action: We can resolve to read all four books of the Gospel of Jesus Christ over this coming year and to take time to think about – and especially pray about – what we read.
