On the Feast of Saint John

JOHN

Son of Zebedee. Fisherman. Brother of Saint James the Great, and called one of the Sons of Thunder. Disciple of Saint John the Baptist. Friend of Saint Peter. Called by Jesus during the 1st year of His ministry, and traveled everywhere with Him, becoming so close as to be known as the beloved disciple. Took part in the Last Supper. The only one of the Twelve not to forsake the Savior in the hour of His Passion, standing at the foot of the cross. Made guardian of Our Lady by Jesus, he took her into his home. Upon hearing of the Resurrection, he was the first to reach the tomb; when he met the risen Lord at the lake of Tiberias, he was the first to recognize Him.

During the era of the new Church, he worked in Jerusalem and at Ephesus. During Jesus' ministry, he tried to block a Samaritan from their group, but Jesus explained the open nature of the new Way, and he worked on that principle to found churches in Asia Minor and baptizing converts in Samaria. Imprisoned with Peter for preaching after Pentecost. Responsible for inspiring the author of the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and possibly the Book of Revelation. Survived all his fellow apostles.

John is perhaps one of apostles we know most about. He is present at pivotal events in the Gospel. He is one of the first to be called, he is present at the transfiguration, he sat at the place of honor at the Last Supper, he is present at the crucifixion, and is the first to arrive at the tomb (yet humbly recognizes his place in the pecking order and let's Peter be the first to enter). John is a well developed Gospel character. Astonishingly, John is also the youngest of the disciples. Tradition puts him at fourteen or fifteen. There is no doubt that he is important!

In speaking about John, Fr. Ron Roheiser remembers John's place at the Last Supper. John is to said to have leaned on the chest of Jesus. Imagine being John at that moment with one's ear listening to the beating heart of love itself! With one's ear in tune to the beat of his heart, one cannot help but be transformed and the only possible outcome is that one's view of the world and of life begins to rhyme with that of Jesus. - R.U.