FEAST OF ST. JOHN, EVANGELIST
First Reading - 1 John 1:1-4
Gospel - John 20:2-8
In the first reading, there is a striking parallel to the prologue of the gospel of John, but the emphasis here is not on the pre-existent Word but rather on the apostles' witness to the incarnation of life by their experience of the historical Jesus. He (Jesus) is the Word of life, the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible, and was heard, seen, looked upon, and touched by the apostles. The purpose of their teaching is to share that life, called fellowship . . . with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ, with those who receive their witness.
In the gospel, we come across a strange account of the resurrection scene of Jesus, a shift from the birth narrative as pertinent to the Christmas octave. However, the reading is not off-track rather fitting and in keeping with our Christmas mood.
In the passage, we see the Beloved Disciple (whom Jesus loved) runs first, ahead of Peter, to the tomb and comes to belief, though Peter did not understand. This ‘Beloved Disciple’ is deliberately never named, because he stands for any disciple whom the Lord loves, He sits next to Jesus at the Last Supper, sharing the Eucharist. He is committed to Mary at the foot of the Cross, so shares the Passion and suffering of Christ, and with Mary composes the first family of the Church. He is put forward in John 21.24 as the prime witness to the tradition of the Church. These are the functions of any beloved and loving disciple of Christ.
Dear friends, as we are in the mood of Christmas, we are reminded today about our primary duty as believers in Christ. Firstly, we are to become witnesses of Jesus Christ or life of Christ. The first reading highlights the witnessing work of the apostles. The first reading also further underlines that witnessing should be based on the personal experience or encounter. John strongly suggests that the person of Jesus is not a created imagination but a real person and he himself has lived his experience in his presence. Thus, our witnessing also should be based on our experience of Jesus and not mere knowledge about Jesus.
Secondly, the gospel invites us to become witnesses of Jesus which should be the result of our faith in him. The beloved disciple saw and believed in the resurrection of Jesus. He didn't look for verification or interrogation but believed. It's our firm faith and conviction in Jesus that should impel us to become true witnesses of him.
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