Today we celebrate St. John the Evangelist, the "beloved disciple." He is the only apostle who did not die a martyr's death; h...
Today we celebrate St. John the Evangelist, the "beloved disciple." He is the only apostle who did not die a martyr's death; he died of old age, witnessing to Love. Our words are Love, Life, and Light.
First, Love. John refers to himself as "the disciple whom Jesus loved." This wasn't arrogance; it was his identity. He defined himself not by what he did, but by how much he was loved by God. In the Gospel, he runs to the tomb faster than Peter—driven by love. Love runs. Love seeks. When you know you are loved by God, you run towards Him, not away from Him.
Second, Life. In the first reading, John writes about "the Word of life" that he has seen and touched. John’s faith wasn't a theory; it was an experience. He touched Jesus. Our faith must be tangible. It must be a life that is lived out, "touched" by others through our charity and service.
Third, Light. John’s Gospel is the Gospel of Light. "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it." As we move away from Christmas Day and toward the New Year, keep the light on. St. John reminds us that our joy is complete only when we have fellowship with one another and with God.
Action: St. John wrote that "God is Love." Today, tell a family member "I love you" and mean it. Make the love of God tangible to them.
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