Receiving and Sharing God’s Love: The Secret of St. John the Evangelist

Receiving and Sharing God’s Love: The Secret of St. John the Evangelist The Witness of Love: Learning from St. John the Evangelist Yesterday, as we honored the Feast of St. Stephen, we reflected on his life and martyrdom. The word “martyr” means to witness—offering a total and unwavering testimony of faith. Today, we celebrate another profound witness: St. John the Evangelist. Among the apostles, he alone was not martyred, yet his entire life was a testimony to God’s love. Every day, he bore witness to this love, living in its fullness. No wonder he is called the Beloved Disciple. John was present at the pivotal moments of Christ’s life—at the Transfiguration, in the Garden of Olives, and at the foot of the Cross, when others had fled. He was also among the first to witness the Resurrection, running ahead of Peter to the empty tomb. The Gospel tells us that when he saw, he believed. The Secrets of St. John’s Witness The first key to John’s unwavering faith is revealed in his own writings: “Beloved, what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen, what we have touched—that is the Word of Life.” To truly witness Christ, we must encounter Him personally. Have we heard, seen, and touched Jesus in our lives? We cannot bear witness to what we do not know. John teaches us that faith begins with receiving God’s love—only then can we share it with others. His letters emphasize that we cannot claim to love God if we do not love one another. The second lesson comes from the moment at the empty tomb. John ran faster than Peter, yet he did not enter first—he waited out of respect. When they both entered, the Gospel tells us that John saw and believed. Faith is nurtured by love, reverence, and humility. Perhaps our own struggles in faith stem from not fully receiving God’s love, which alone enables us to love others better. A Story of Transformation A story is told of a man who converted to Catholicism. Before his baptism, a priest asked him some basic questions about the faith. “Where was Jesus born?” the priest asked. The man hesitated. “I’m sorry, Father, I don’t know.” “Who was Jesus’ foster father?” “Gabriel… or maybe I forgot.” The priest, surprised, questioned whether the man was serious about his faith. But the man responded: “Father, before I chose to become a Catholic, I was a terrible husband and father. I drank heavily, smoked, and was violent toward my family. My children feared me, and my wife suffered under my anger. I tried many times to change, but nothing worked. Then, at a funeral Mass, I heard a homily that touched me deeply. I realized God’s love was calling me to transformation. And for the first time, change was not impossible—it was happening within me. So, Father, if you ask me where Jesus was born, I may not know. But I do know this—Jesus is my Savior, because He changed me.” Mary: The Final Secret of John’s Faith At the foot of the Cross, Jesus entrusted Mary to John. The Gospel tells us that John took her into his home. This is another secret to his unwavering faith—he walked his journey with Mary. She, who carried the Word made flesh, helps us receive and respond to God’s love more perfectly. This Christmas, and every day, may we first receive God’s love, so that we may share it with others. We cannot give what we do not have. Listen to this Meditation Media. Listen to: Receiving and Sharing God’s Love: The Secret of St. John the Evangelist ------------------------------------------ Image: Saint John the Evangelist: Italian Painter and Artist: Pompeo Girolamo Batoni: 1741 ------------------------------------------ Gospel Reading: John: 20: 1, 2-8 First Reading: 1 John: 1: 1-4