The Feast of Saint John the Apostle

(First Century)

His life

+ John, the son of Zebedee, was the brother of Saint James and is traditionally honored as the “Beloved Disciple.”

+ Born in Galilee, he and his brothers left their fishing nets to follow Jesus, who later called the brothers “Sons of Thunder” because of their ardent faith and impulsivity.

+ John rested his head on Jesus’ breast during the Last Supper, remained with Jesus throughout the Passion and it was to him that Mary was entrusted as Jesus hung upon the Cross.

+ On Easter morning, John was the first apostle to reach the empty tomb and he was present when the Risen Christ appeared to the disciples in the upper room and on the shores of the Sea of Tiberius.

+ According to tradition, John lived a long life and was the only apostle who did not die as a martyr.

Spiritual bonus

Saint Jerome recounts that when John was too old to preach, he would have himself carried into the assembly of the faithful and simply say, “My little children, love one another.”

For reflection

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us,
and from his fullness we have all received.”—John 1:14, 16

Prayer

O God, who through the blessed Apostle John
have unlocked for us the secrets of your Word,
grant, we pray,
that we may grasp with proper understanding
what he has so marvelously brought to our ears.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

(from The Roman Missal)

Saint profiles prepared by Brother Silas Henderson, S.D.S.