Acts 28:16-20.30-31,
Psalms 11:4.5,
John 21:20-25 Full readings
The Beloved Disciple
Brethren, since Easter we have read and reflected on many Gospel readings from John and today we conclude the Gospel. John's Gospel has chronologically presented Jesus forming and preparing His Apostles for mission without Him, then He prays for them, He commissions them as He commissions Peter and today John presents to us the unnamed beloved disciple who will stay until Jesus comes again.
Who is this Beloved Disciple?
John's Gospel steadfastly refuses to identify him by name and with good reason: it is the disciple whom Jesus loves. This disciple features four times in His Gospel, normally associated with Peter, but each time unnamed. The first occasion is at the Last Supper (13.23), next to Jesus and closely in contact with him.
The second occasion is at the foot of the Cross (19.26), close to the Mother of Jesus, when Jesus joins the two together to form the first Christian community and over them breathes forth his spirit – or possibly, with a typical Johannine ambiguity, his Spirit.
The third occasion is at the empty Tomb (20.2), when Peter is puzzled, but the Beloved Disciple recognises the significance: he sees and believes.
And the Fourth time is today; here Jesus wants the Beloved Disciple to stay behind till he comes. This disciple, says the author, is the one who has witnessed these things, and we know that his witness is true.
Why doesn't John mention the disciple by name. It's true and a reality that Jesus had the disciple he loved most but John leaves his name for a bigger reason. John uses this portrait to point to everyone who bears true witness to Christ, so that even you and me can become a beloved disciple if we bear true witness to Christ.
Therefore, to John a beloved disciple is the one who reclines next to Jesus at the Eucharist, who shares the Passion with Jesus and joins his mother to form the Christian community, who believes in the Resurrection, and who hands on the tradition until Jesus comes again. Deservedly this disciple has no name, for it is the portrait of every Christian whom Jesus loves. Me and you Brethren, can be a beloved disciple.
With this John ends his Gospel saying there are many things that Jesus did and are not written down for the books of the world would not contain all of them. Brethren, this is not just for concluding the Gospel alone but has a higher meaning than that. Of course, Jesus' mystery is infinite not to be confined and limited in any physical books, it's eternal.
The more reason for our faith is that if these books would provide us with the totality of Jesus' mystery, there would be no reason to even keep believing in Him, it would be a story read and gone. Therefore, such an ending invites us to long for knowing more about Jesus, to enter into loving relationships with Him and experience Him ourselves. It compels us to seek more about Jesus deeply and in this way we grow spiritually and automatically become a beloved disciple.
Reflect today on how you are striving to become a beloved disciple by taking part in Eucharist, sharing His passion, loving His mother Mary, believing in resurrection, doing his will and proclaiming his word till He comes again, and above all seeking to Know Him every day of your life. Pray that as the Holy Spirit descends on us tomorrow may come with all His gifts in your life and bring answers to your unanswered prayers.
Let us pray.
Lord Jesus, fill me with your deep love for you so that I may too be named among your beloved disciples. Grant that me who eagerly await for the coming of the Holy Spirit may receive His seven-fold gifts and all His fruits. Amen.
Be blessed and don't forget to pray the Novena to the Holy Spirit.
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