The Feast of St John, Apostle and Evangelist

1 Jn 1:1-4, Jn 20:2-8. Today, we celebrate the Feast of St John the Apostle who was a native of Bethsaida, a Galilean town on the northern shore of the Sea of Tiberias. He was the brother of James and their parents were Zebedee and Salome. They were from a well-to-do family of fisherfolk who, when they met Jesus put themselves completely and unhesitatingly at His disposal. Today's Gospel presents the experience of John with the risen Christ at the empty tomb. In presenting the disciples and not the risen Christ in this scene, John gives a picture of a Church which is struggling to recover hope even in her despair, trust in her doubt and life even in her death.

It is important to note here that this change of heart is communicated from one to another and even as this communion is taking place, faith is increasing and light is being shed on the mystery. We have a part to play in the dawning of faith for those with whom we live and converse, by what we say, the faith we profess, also by how we attend to each other. The life of faith is necessarily collaborative. The Good News of the resurrection is not something discovered and proclaiming by only one of the disciples, it is neither by Peter, by the beloved disciple nor by Mary. But the collective experience of each, gives rise to the common faith of the Church.

May the Lord help us to grasp the fuller understanding of the message of eternal life! Amen!! Good morning and a pleasant day!!