The Feast of St. John the Apostle

 

The new Born-Baby is the Word of God in human flesh.

Reflection on Today’s Readings, Tuesday of Christmas Octave, Feast of St. John, Dec. 27th, 2022
Texts: 1 John 1:1-4; Psalm 96:1-2,5-6,11-12; John 20:2-8 

Today we celebrate the feast of St. John the Apostle and the beloved of the Lord. He was a brother of James. He authored a gospel and three letters. His reflection on Jesus Christ was profound and deep. We come to know through him that the Word of God is a person and became visible in Jesus Christ. This means the Word of God relates with us, speaks with us, touches us. The Word of can take flesh in life, become a person to us, be experienced and lived with. The Word of God becomes a person to us when we live on God’s words. 

Today St. John places emphasis on the person of the Word of God and the fact that the Word became visible in Jesus Christ. He says, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life”. He tells us why he proclaims the Word: “so that you may have fellowship with us; and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. And we are writing this that our joy may be complete.” 

The new Born-Baby is the Word of God in human flesh

St. John, in his words today, deepens our understanding of the birth of the new born Baby. The new Born-Baby is the Word of God in human flesh. He came that we might experience the Word of God physically. That which is always spirit became visible to us. He became visible to reveal that we can relate with God, touch Him, live with Him, laugh with Him, share our burdens, sorrows, pains and joy with Him. In other words, He became visible that we might have fellowship with God. He continues to call us into fellowship when we hear His gospel.

Today’s gospel reading tells the responses of Simon Peter and John to the news of resurrection. We read, “Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.” He exhibits sign of wisdom by his willingness to believe. St. James says, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy” (3:17). He is willing to yield to the evidence of empty tomb. This could be responsible for his deep insight in the person of Jesus Christ.  

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 marvellously brought to our ear. Amen (Collect) 

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke