BELOVED DISCIPLES

Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Jn 20:2-8

When Simon Peter and the Beloved Disciple heard Mary’s story about the empty tomb, they ran to see for themselves the veracity of what men of their times would say “another woman’s tale”. The Beloved Disciple, John the Evangelist, outran Peter and reached the tomb first. The Gospel reported that he did not enter but waited for Simon Peter at the entrance of the tomb. Though John was called “The Beloved Disciple” among the Twelve, he knew and respected the first in authority, Simon Peter.

When Simon Peter entered the tomb, he saw the burial clothes, according to the Gospel narrative. But the same story tells us something more about John: When the disciple whom Jesus loved entered the tomb, he saw and believed. Such is the case; beloved disciples always reach the tomb first! Beloved disciples reach the tomb first because they get to the heart of the matter faster. The heart of the Resurrection is love.

The urgency of John’s love got him to the tomb first. The sensitivity of his love made him the first to believe as well. And later when Jesus stood unrecognized on the shore of Lake Tiberias after the Resurrection, it was also John who informed Peter: “It is the Lord!” His was a love that got him there first. His was a love that knew Him so well. Such is the love of beloved disciples.

If Simon Peter enjoyed the primacy of authority, John, the Beloved Disciple, enjoyed the primacy of love. This takes nothing away from Simon Peter. It just means that, in the words of Paul the Apostle, “if love can persuade” it can get you to the point quicker!

As we celebrate the feast of John the Beloved, two days after Christmas day, may we be able to give an honest accounting of our love for Jesus even as we continue reflecting on how much we are loved by Him. The birth of Jesus tells us how beloved we are. The lives we live tell Jesus how much we love Him. We are beloved disciples; let us be loving disciples, too.