Homily for the Feast of Saint John, Apostle & Evangelist

It is fitting that we observe the Feast of St. John the Evangelist and Apostle shortly after we celebrate the Nativity of the Lord. The opening lines of his Gospel succinctly communicate what we celebrate at Christmas: "The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us."

This Gospel is the last of the four to be written. It is based on the eyewitness testimony of a particular disciple, often referred to as "the one whom Jesus loved." This description may lead some to believe that Jesus loved this disciple more than the others. However, other texts indicate that Jesus loved all of His disciples equally. He said to them and us, "As the Father loves me, so I also love you."

According to John's Gospel, this apostle stands apart from the others because he accepted and responded to Jesus's love more fully. He was the only male disciple present at the foot of the Cross, remaining faithful to Jesus while others proved unfaithful. His unwavering love allowed him to reach the empty tomb faster than Peter. Furthermore, his steadfast love gave him the insight to recognize the true meaning of the empty tomb before anyone else: "He saw and believed." 

He is the disciple who inspires us to love Jesus wholeheartedly, just as He has given Himself to us.