Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Saint John has a simple and strong message: our particular assignment, our mission, is to “Testify!” “Proclaim!” Not listed among the martyrs, he may have lived into old age. Scholars suggest that the Gospel, three Letters, and the Book of Revelation ascribed to him began circulating among Christians very late in the first century after Christ and may have been compiled by his disciples and scribes after his death. These works differ from those named for Matthew, Mark, and Luke, often grouped as the Synoptic (‘look-alike’) Gospels.

John was definitely there for the events of Christ’s public life and made no bones about declaring that he told what he heard, saw, and touched. He is driven to proclaim and testify. In today’s Gospel passage, he shares a first-person story of his race with Peter to the empty tomb on Easter Sunday, making sure to mention that he got there first but deferred to the other disciple, waiting for him to enter.

We must tell the world everything about our God, John insists: as the Psalmist says today, “Let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad.” Neither John nor the Psalmist would know our world and its “many isles”! They would be astonished by so many ‘magical’ ways of communication. So, start contemplating how many forms I may get God and God’s works into everything I say, write, or type. Stick in a simple and sincere “Thank God!” or compress it further: “Praise be!” Acknowledge God as our Creator and Lord. Thank God for the neverending mercy, grace, and love showered on every living person. Shine a great light on the gift of the Holy Eucharist, the source and summit of our faith. Testify!

Let Us Pray:

Dear God, give us genuine faith and strength to proclaim your wondrous deeds to everyone. May we be actual witnesses and spreaders of your good news and hardworking builders of your Eucharistic Kingdom. Amen.