Yesterday we celebrated the first "red martyr" of the Church – St. Stephen, the Deacon; today we celebrate the feast of the first "white martyr" – St. John, Apostle and Evangelist. St. John was very willing to give his life for Jesus, after the example of his own brother, James, who was the first of the Apostles to suffer red martyrdom – but it seems that God willed it otherwise. John died of old age after a full life of ministry in the Church – as second to Peter in the Jerusalem Church – in writing a gospel account of Jesus life, and other letters which became a part of Scripture – and, of course, the highly imaginative Book of Revelation. Though he did not die for the faith in the turbulent years of the early Church; he lived the turbulence and completely gave himself to Jesus for his use which was credited to him as martyrdom!
More than any other Apostle or Evangelist, St. John experienced and captured in prose the essence of the very love of God which became a man in Jesus. His symbol is the "eagle" as what he had to say seemed to soar to heaven's heights!
It was John who was Jesus' best of all friends. He with his brother James and Peter were present when Jesus said and did the defining and essential elements of his ministry: the Sermon on the Mount, the Mount of the Transfiguration; miracles of the loaves; the wedding feast at Cana, the raising of Lazarus; the Last Supper. He slept in the Garden with James and Peter while Jesus prayed in agony over our salvation! But he was the first to appear at the tomb on Easter morning, along with Peter – although he did not enter the tomb first but waited for Peter to enter first (signifying the primacy of Peter as leader of the 12.)
The first reading today from his letter tells of Jesus as the Word made flesh – the word that would bring eternal life to those who listen to it and act on it! It was his goal and desire always to proclaim that word so that anyone and everyone might have fellowship / friendship with other believers – which is the same fellowship / friendship that is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ [the same that the Father and the Son have with each other]. He wants those who hear the message to have complete joy – as only this particular word can bring!
On this feast of St. John let us open our minds and our hearts to receive the gift of joy, of life, of peace, of forgiveness, of reconciliation, of fellowship / friendship that are always available to those who are willing to receive them – and then let us live this day – empowered by the Eucharistic Bread of the Word Made Flesh – as if we truly did believe it!
We praise you, O God,
we acclaim you as Lord;
the glorious company of Apostles praise you!
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