Dec. 27th John the Apostle

Within the midst of the Octave of Christmas, we celebrate the feast of St. John the Apostle.  John was called to follow Jesus while mending his nets. He and his brother James were called by Jesus to follow Him. The two brothers were called “Sons of Thunder”, most likely because both had a temper.

Peter, James and John, were chosen to follow Our Lord in a closer way, than the other disciples. For example, the three were taken to the top of Mount Tabor to witness Our Lord’s transfiguration and be close to Our Lord during His agony in the garden. At the Last Supper, John rested his head against the chest of Jesus. He believed he was loved more than the other disciples, and so, called himself the “beloved disciple”.

John was the only apostle to stand at the foot of the Lord’s cross. On the Cross, Jesus gave His Mother to John and so from that moment, he took Her into his home and would have offered Mass for Her and gave Her Holy Communion.

Tradition states Mary went with John to Ephesus, where they both lived. Prior to going to Ephesus, he was primarily in Jerusalem, and founded many churches in Asia Minor. After the resurrection, John ran to the tomb, with Peter, only to see the linen wrapped up by itself, and he believed. Recall that after, Our Lord appeared to the apostles on the Lake. And it was John who first recognized Jesus on the shore, as he said, “It’s the Lord!”

John wrote, the Gospel of John, three epistles and the book of Revelation.

John was taken to Rome by the order of the Emperor Domition, who cast John into boiling oil, but he came out miraculously unhurt, and was banished to the island of Patmos for a year.

Living to be about the age of 100, and he died about the year 110 in Ephesus. He was the only apostle, who wasn’t martyred. In Ephesus, a beautiful church was erected over his tomb, but Muslims later converted it into a mosque.

Today, let us imitate St. John the Apostle, by growing in our devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, whom John rested, and saw pierced. By pondering what John saw, the Crucified Lord on Calvary, it will inspire us to love Jesus, as John did. And may we too take Mary into our home. St. John, the apostle, pray for us, that we may worthily imitate you!