Beloved Disciple
Brethren, since Easter we have read and reflected on many Gospel passages from the Gospel of John and today, we conclude the Gospel. John's Gospel has chronologically presented Jesus forming and preparing His Apostles after resurrection for mission without Him physically, then praying for them, commissioning them as we saw yesterday commissioning Peter and today John presents to us the unnamed beloved disciple who would stay until Jesus comes again but according to the will of Jesus.
Yesterday, we saw that the mission of Peter was to feed the flock of Jesus and that this mission had a reward of martyrdom, and so Peter had to be prepared to face martyrdom just as Jesus did. But as if Peter was not really comprehending this mission and so wanted also to know what mission others would take. That is why we see him today asking Jesus about the beloved disciple, John, “Lord, what about him?” But Jesus responds, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? Follow me!" Peter's given task was to "shepherd the sheep of Christ," and in the end to die as a martyr for the Lord Jesus. That is what Jesus meant by telling Peter, "Follow me" because he was to suffer as Jesus suffered and die just as Jesus died. John experienced none of this. John's role was preeminently to witness to the risen Lord Jesus and to give his testimony to the Gospel account of Jesus' identity as the divine Son of God who became a man to save us from sin, Satan, and death (John 20:31). This is what Jesus meant by "What if I want him to remain until I come? Indeed, John lived to long age and wrote the Gospel as his testimony to the reality of life, death and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Do we also compare ourselves with other people's missions or successes? Linda Dillow, author of Calm My Anxious Heart wrote: “Never compare your lot with another’s because comparing is a recipe for discontentedness." This tendency we all have displeases Jesus as well, as we can deduce by his answer to Peter: “What concern is it of yours?” We immediately stymie our progress on the path to holiness when we allow ourselves to be distracted by the success of others. Each of us has a singular, unrepeatable mission, unique gifts, and all the grace we need to succeed. Let us take to heart Jesus’ command to Peter, “Follow me,” and use our energy to accomplish the mission he gave each of us.
In John's Gospel, he steadfastly refuses to identify the beloved disciple by name but calls him it, "the disciple whom Jesus loved." Who is this Beloved Disciple? Is it because it's John writing about himself? Perhaps, it is more than this. This disciple features four times in His Gospel. 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. It is very important to realise that this is not just for concluding the Gospel alone but has a higher meaning than that. Jesus' mystery is infinite not to be confined and limited in any physical books, it's eternal. His power is inexhaustible, his grace is limitless, his wisdom unfathomable, his triumphs are innumerable, and his love is unquenchable. We can never say enough of the power, majesty and glory which belongs to Jesus Christ alone.
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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