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. John 21:24–25
As we conclude our Easter season, we are given the conclusion of
the Gospel of Saint John to ponder. Recall that John’s Gospel has
been a central focus throughout the Easter Season. Therefore, if
you have been prayerfully reading the Gospel for Mass each day for
the past several weeks, then you have truly immersed yourself in
this holy Gospel.
The Gospel of Saint John is much different from the other three
Synoptic Gospels. John’s language is mystical and symbolic. John
presents the seven miracles as the seven “signs” that reveal Jesus’
divinity. Jesus is identified as I AM, the Son of the Father, the
Vine, the Bread of Life, the Light of the World, the Eternal Word,
and more. John points to the Crucifixion as Jesus’ hour of glory in
which He takes up His throne of the Cross for the salvation of the
world. And John’s teaching on the Eucharist is truly
profound.
John states that the reason he wrote his Gospel was so “that you
may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and
that through this belief you may have life in his name” (John
20:31). John clearly loved our Lord and understood Him, not only by
personal experiences while Jesus was alive on earth but also
through a profound level of prayer in his later years. And this
depth of understanding and mystical knowledge is communicated in
such a way that the reader is easily drawn into John’s prayerful
understanding.
As John concludes His testimony about Jesus, he states something
worth pondering. He states that Jesus did so many things that were
not recorded by him or others, that if they were all written down,
the whole world would not contain the books that would be written.
First of all, everything that was written down could be the source
of prayerful study for a lifetime. John’s Gospel alone could never
be exhausted of its meaning. But then consider this final line of
John’s Gospel and try to take it as a literal statement for a
moment. If that statement were literally true, that the whole world
could not contain the books that would record all that Jesus did,
then this fact should leave us with a holy awe. In fact, the reason
this must be true is because what Jesus did within each and every
mind and heart He touched is truly indescribable. Volumes upon
volumes could not thoroughly describe it. His divine action of
saving souls, rescuing people from sin and death, and pointing them
to eternal life is more than our feeble minds can fully
comprehend.
Reflect, today, upon the holy Gospel of Saint John. As we do
conclude this Easter Season and our reading of John’s Gospel, allow
yourself to sit in awe of the infinite activity of our divine Lord
in the lives of those who have turned to Him. Consider every
movement of grace in their lives that has been accomplished with
such care and love by our Lord. Reflect upon the fact that for
eternity you will be contemplating the Eternal Word made Flesh, the
Messiah, the Great I AM, the Son of the Father and every other name
given to Him Who is our God and King. Saint John loved our Lord and
understood Him deeply because he spent his life prayerfully
pondering all that Jesus did. Continue to commit yourself to this
holy pondering so that you will be drawn more deeply into this
contemplation with holy awe.
Jesus, Messiah, You are truly beyond comprehension in Your
beauty, glory and holiness. You are God from God and Light from
Light. You are the Great I AM, and all the books in the world could
not properly describe the depth of Your greatness. Fill my mind and
heart with the gift of deep spiritual insight so that I, like Saint
John the Evangelist, will be continually drawn into a holy awe of
You. Jesus, I trust in You.
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Featured images above: Apostle John the Theologian on the island
of Patmos By Andrey Mironov, via Wikimedia Commons
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