It is this disciple who testifies to these things
REFLECTIONS TODAY
The Gospel of John ends with a description of “this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them” (v 24). It is his remembrance and perspective of Jesus that are contained in the Gospel, quite different from, but complementing, the testimony of the Synoptic Gospels. He is known as “the disciple whom Jesus loved” (Jn 13:23; 20:2; 21:7; 21:20), hence “the Beloved Disciple.” Tradition has associated him with John, a son of Zebedee and the brother of James, who is celebrated in the liturgy as Apostle and Evangelist. Though he probably did not end up by shedding his blood for the faith, unlike Peter and the rest of the Apostles, his testimony as the source or writer of the Fourth Gospel is beyond par. Our knowledge of Jesus “in the beginning with God” (1:2) comes from him, complementing what Paul writes of Jesus: that “he was in the form of God” (Phil 2:6), that “he is before all things” (Col 1:17) and that “all things were created through him” (Col 1:16).
Pope Benedict XVI, in his catechesis on the Apostles, says of John: “According to tradition, John is the ‘beloved disciple’ who rested his head on the Master’s chest during the Last Supper; he was at the foot of the Cross together with Jesus’ Mother, and was a witness... to the presence of the Risen One. Various scholars see in him, ‘the prototype of the disciple of Jesus,’ who wishes ‘to make each of us a disciple living in personal friendship with Him’ ” (4 July 2006).
First Reading • Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.
Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty. But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation. This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.”
He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.
Responsorial Psalm • Psalm 11
“The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.” or “Alleluia.”
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: “366 Days with the Lord 2024,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.