Feast of St. John the Apostle

ON THE THIRD DAY HE ROSE AGAIN

“They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” – John 20:2

       I married at the early age of 20 and soon started womanizing. I got into pornography and sex addiction. That was also the time I started beating my wife. But after many years, she finally left me and took our children with her.

       During those days, I felt that my soul was already dead. But one time, while riding my motorcycle on the way home, I prayed to God and asked Him to bring me back to life. After having uttered that prayer, my life started to change day by day. I rose from the dead. I reconciled with my wife and family and asked them for their forgiveness.

       Today, I am a changed man. God gave me a brand new life for Jesus has resurrected in me. Monty Mendigoria (montymendigoria@yahoo.com)

Reflection: Move the stones away from the tomb and let Jesus resurrect in your life.

Dear Lord, I’m so grateful with what You have done in my life. Your resurrection gave me hope to live my life according to Your will. Amen.

The Apostle John was the only one to die a natural death, if dying in exile can be considered natural. He was not martyred. Nonetheless, his reflections on the nature of love should be studied regularly and with passion, as we all have much to discover and learn from them. The nature of true love is rarely seen in today’s world in an obvious and explicit fashion. This is a great tragedy as we are all called to exhibit it as part of our proclamation of the Gospel. The world today is too focused on the self to readily exhibit the true nature of love.

1 Beloved: 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 — 2 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 — 3 what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4 We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.

1 The Lord is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. 2 Clouds and darkness are around him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. (R) 5 The mountains melt like wax before the Lord, before the Lord of all the earth. 6 The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. (R) 11 Light dawns for the just; and gladness, for the upright of heart. 12 Be glad in the Lord, you just, and give thanks to his holy name. (R)

There are a number of times in the Gospel that John is better able to recognize Jesus than the other disciples. Perhaps this is because he has opened his life more fully to the love God has for him and allowed its power to have a formative effect upon his consciousness.

We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.

1 On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene 2 ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we do not know where they put him.” 3 So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. 4 They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; 5 he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. 6 When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, 7 and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. 8 Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

think:  We are called to exhibit the nature of true love as part of our proclamation of the Gospel.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR Sirah 26-30

BELOVED DISCIPLE

You can be excused if you are thinking about the Resurrection at this time of Christmas. The Gospel of today is a story found in the Easter season. As we celebrate these days of Christmas, we are being introduced to a whole range of people — Stephen, St. John and the Holy Innocents. We are given a glimpse beyond the manger as to what characters will enfold in the life of Jesus. We will see in the life of Jesus many who are touched by His ministry of love and reconciliation.

       Today, we read about Mary running from the tomb, just before she has seen the Risen Lord. Mary is in a desperate state because someone has stolen the body of Jesus. In confusion, the disciples are startled: they have taken the Lord out of the tomb. John reports in his Gospel that the two run to the tomb. They confirm what Mary has spoken. The tomb is empty and only the burial cloths remain. They found it as she had said. Note that there are two responses — Peter is bewildered at seeing the cloths and empty tomb. The beloved disciple sees the same thing and believes.

       As we contemplate the Child in the manger, we, too, are called to see and believe. This Child is none other than the Son of God, the Savior of humanity.

       The beloved sees and believes. Are you the beloved disciple? The beloved disciple sees and believes because his heart is pure. Many years from the Nativity, Jesus Himself will declare how blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. For John, in his Gospel, believing is seeing. “Blessed are those who have not seen yet believe” will be the final statement of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTION: Take time to contemplate the scene of the Nativity. See and believe; believe and you will see.

Lord, I love You, teach me to be Your beloved disciple. Amen.