Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist, 2018

John, the Beloved. Isn’t it typical of him that his feast day would take us all the way from Christmas to the Resurrection? It all has to do with love that springs from faith, and faith that springs from love. Once he believed in the Lord Jesus, whom he had seen and known and loved in person, John was “all in.” Having received that gift, he wanted to share all he had seen and heard.

John’s sense of wonder at the Mystery of God’s so personal coming among us and his simple, uninhibited response of faith provides the perfect example as we ourselves experience again in our own lives the Mystery and wonder of Christmas. We are so loved by God - so beloved - that He has come to give us everything. All that He has is ours, even to the hope of one day sharing the joy of eternal communion shared by the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Everything.

In the grace of the Christmas Mystery may we learn the simple faith and love of John, and proclaim by our lives the joy that comes in knowing by faith that God loves us so much.