Word to the Wise
Monday, December 27, 2021 - Dec. 27 - Feast of St. John, Apostle & Evangelist
[1 John 1:1-4 and John 20:1a, 2-8]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....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. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. [John]
When I am sometimes asked which of the four gospels is my favorite. I have to respond with the Gospel According to John. That response is without prejudice to the other three, so the further question, "What's 'wrong' with the other three?" is useless. Each of the four gospels is a separate portrait or preaching, depending on the metaphor one wants to use. The dramatic character of the Gospel According to John is what appeals to me. Each incident or encounter between persons and Jesus in the Gospel According to John seems to be like a "mini-drama" with careful development of character and meaning. The rules of Greek drama seem to be in effect. There are usually only three characters (one can be collective, such as "the crowd" or "the Jews"). There are very strong "themes" such as "seeing and believing." Today's gospel is an example of that. There are Mary Magdalen, Peter and the disciple "whom Jesus loved." "The other disciple" (the "one whom Jesus loved") arrives first at the tomb, but gives way to Peter, the leader. However, it is the "beloved disciple" who sees and believes.
All of this, of course, doesn't address the question of the connection between the actual disciple, to whom Jesus entrusted his own mother, and the author(s?) of the Gospel According to John. Suffice it to say, for purposes of this reflection, that I am grateful that this apostle has given us his name to attach to the very distinct "Johannine" scriptures: the Gospel, the Letters, and the Book of Revelation. Because these were composed somewhat later, they reflect the development of Christian belief in the early Church. The "Prologue" to the Gospel According to John is a magnificent example of this development.
I could go on, but I'll share one poignant statement from the Gospel According to John that I ponder more and more often now. Jesus tells Peter in their last encounter: "Amen, amen, I say to you, when you were younger, you used to dress yourself and go where you wanted; but when you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." [John 21:18] Thanks, Jesus (John) I hope I won't be too difficult when that time comes! AMEN