Posted on 12/27/2009 5:38:08 AM PST by mlizzy
The Feast of St. John the Evangelist—the Apostle, the Beloved Disciple—is no doubt a great feast day of God's Love. St. John was the first to use Love as the perfect synonym for God, and as the last apostle to die as well as the author of the last book of the Bible, John is in many ways the last word on Love (with a capital "L") as well. So while the divine answer to the question, "Who wrote the book on Love?" will always be the Holy Spirit, the human answer has to be the Beloved Disciple.
But to understand who St. John is, one has to realize who he is not. St. John is not St. Matthew. Matthew's gospel is the proof of the mathematician. John's is the pondering of a poet. Matthew's gospel is everyday faith. John's is otherworldly Love. Without Matthew, the Faith wouldn't be grounded. Without John, the Word would not soar like an Eagle, the valiant bird that also happens to be John's symbol.
John is also not Peter. Although John's steadfastness seemed to have earned him a spot closer to Christ's heart than the others, it was the impetuous Peter who was chosen to head Jesus' Church on earth. Mystics do not make great statesmen and poets do not make great popes. But before you start believing that effeminate DaVinci Code crap, the younger "Son of Thunder" was just as much a man as "The Rock." For while Peter followed Christ in being crucified (upside-down, no less!) for the faith, John was the only man who Loved our Lord enough (and had enough guts) to be present at His Crucifixion. The Church (and the priesthood) need them both.
(Excerpt) Read more at fightingirishthomas.net ...
St. John is on Dec. 27th, when it doesn’t fall on a Sunday, but I included this nice post anyway.:)
St. John the Evangelist bump!
The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian September 26
Where the Beloved Disciple Finally Rested
Orthodox Feast of The Falling Asleep of St. John the Evangelist and Theologian, September 26
St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Mary's House — Walking in the Footsteps of St. John
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