REFLECTIONS TODAY
A long line of tradition has associated the Beloved Disciple, the author of the Fourth Gospel, with the Apostle John. In the Synoptic Gospels, though close to Simon, John has a subordinate role. In the Fourth Gospel, the Beloved Disciple is at par with Simon Peter. He is the “hero” of the Christian community that produced the Fourth Gospel. He is the one that testifies to the truth of, and about, Jesus that is contained in the Fourth Gospel. Among the evangelists, he is symbolized by an eagle because his vision soars to the heavenly realm to point out the origin of Jesus as the Word (Logos) before creation.
In the Gospel reading, after learning of his responsibility as shepherd (and maybe aware of the kind of death he would suffer), Peter asks Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” It is then clarified that Jesus’ answer, “What if I want him to remain until I come?” did not mean that the disciple would not die, for when the Gospel was published, the Beloved Disciple had in fact died. Tradition also holds that John was the last of the Twelve to die and did not suffer martyrdom. But his intimacy with Jesus and his testimony are as precious to the Christian community as the shedding of his blood for the faith.
GOSPEL • John 21:20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.
SOURCE: “365 Days with the Lord 2022,” ST. PAULS, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.