When we think of St. John, the first thought that comes to mind is that he is the apostle of love. He sensed God’s love for himself through the person of Jesus Christ so intensely that he was consumed with the desire to make others aware of this great love.
From among the passages in the bible, the Church has chosen for his feast that moment when John himself came to faith in the resurrection of Jesus. He went into the empty tomb; he saw and believed.
Today’s Gospel helps us to see that death for Jesus led to the glory of the resurrection. The resurrection of Jesus is the sign of the Father’s great love not only for his beloved Son, but also for us. Jesus is the plan, the blueprint for our lives. What happened to him will happen to us. We too are vulnerable, subject to death, but death will also lead us to resurrection.
The Christmas season is a time of great joy. St. John, in the first reading, stated that his purpose in writing was that our joy might be complete. Our joy at the birth of Christ is complete when we realize that our fellowship is with the Father and with His son, Jesus Christ. This fellowship, this oneness, will come to full fruit in our own resurrection.