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So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They
both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived
at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there,
but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into
the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had
covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a
separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who
had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. John
20:3–8
The “other disciple,” the one who “saw and believed,” was John the
Apostle whom we honor today. In his Gospel, John often refers to
himself as “the one whom Jesus loved.” This title indicates not
that Jesus loved John more than the others but that John’s heart
was perhaps the most open and receptive to Jesus’ love, allowing
our Lord’s charity to fill him more completely.
Celebrating the Feast of Saint John within the octave of Jesus’
birth invites us to reflect not only on John but also on the deep
and intimate love that he and Jesus shared—a love that serves as an
icon of the love Jesus desires to bestow on each of us.
Today’s Gospel beautifully highlights three of John’s virtues.
First, his all-consuming love for Jesus is evident in his immediate
response to Mary Magdalene’s news of the empty tomb. John’s love
compelled him to run to the tomb with Peter, showing how deeply he
cherished his relationship with the Lord.
Second, John’s respectful nature is revealed when he arrives at the
tomb first but waits for Peter, the elder and leader among the
Apostles, to enter before him. This act of deference speaks volumes
about John’s humility and respect for authority.
Finally, after entering the tomb, John “saw and believed.” This
moment reflects the depth of his faith, a faith that did not
require physical proof but was grounded in a profound trust in
Jesus. John’s belief was a response to the infused gift of faith, a
virtue that allowed him to recognize the truth of the Resurrection
even before seeing the risen Lord.
John’s example challenges us to examine our own spiritual lives. Is
our love for the Lord so strong that it draws us toward Him with
the same urgency that led John to run to the tomb? Does our love
for God translate into a genuine respect for others? Is our faith
so deep that we trust in God’s promises without needing visible
proof?
As we honor Saint John, reflect today on his identity as “the one
whom Jesus loved.” His receptivity to Jesus’ love made him stand
out as a model disciple. Seek to imitate John by expanding the
capacity of your heart to receive more of God’s love, so that His
presence within you becomes evident to others.
My loving Lord, Your Sacred Heart overflowed with love for all
people. Saint John was especially receptive to that love, enabling
him to love You all the more. Please give me a heart like Saint
John’s so that I, too, may become Your beloved disciple. Saint
John, pray for us. Jesus, I trust in You.
Image: St John at the Last Supper by Lawrence OP, license CC
BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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