Feast of John the Apostle
Since the sixth century, the feast of John the Apostle has been celebrated on this date.
John and his brother, James, were partners in a fishing business with two other brothers – Peter and Andrew. In Matthew, they are the first four disciples called by Jesus.
John is mentioned 20 times in the Gospels (though never in the Gospel that bears his name). The threesome of Peter, James and John had a very close relationship with the Lord (sometimes along with Peter’s brother, Andrew). For example, Jesus brought only them to witness the transfiguration.
It is said that John was a young man when called to be a disciples, and lived to a ripe old age. An old tradition says that in his last days his disciples had to carry him into church. Unable to give a lengthy sermon, he was accustomed simple to repeat the words: “Children, love one another.”
His disciples hearing this repeatedly became impatient and asked: “Master, why do you always say the same thing?” John replied: Because it is the Lord’s own commandment. And if you did nothing more, it would suffice.
Now what’s happening? We just celebrated the birth of Jesus, and today’s Gospel is about his resurrection!
This passage was chosen because it is the feast of John the Apostle. “The disciple Jesus loved” (who appears only in John’s Gospel) was thought to be John himself.
It is said that John died a natural death at a ripe old age. On the other hand, Jesus was brutally killed at about the age of 30.
It may seem strange to say it this way, but in the great expanse of time and eternity, the length of each one’s life hardly matters.
Who Jesus was and what he did mattered very much especially the way he accepted death. But the cruelty of his death, and at so early and age…In the perspective of eternity, those details become less important. Jesus is “seated at the right hand of God” – an expression that describes his glory. John too enjoys the happiness of heaven.
In this Christmas season, we celebrate that God became one of us and opened the door to the fullness of life. It’s a good time to settle back and think about what it means to have a future that lasts forever.