Gospel: December 27, 2023
(Wednesday)
Feast of St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Psalter: Proper / (White)
Ps 97: 1-2, 5-6, 11-12
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
1st Reading: 1 John 1: 1-4This is what has been, from the beginning, and what we have heard, and have seen with our own eyes, what we have looked at, and touched with our hands, I mean the Word who is Life.
The Life made itself known. We have seen Eternal Life and we bear witness; and we are telling you of it. It was with the Father and made himself known to us.
So, we tell you, what we have seen and heard, that you may be in fellowship with us, and us, with the Father, and with his Son, Jesus Christ.
And we write this, that our joy may be complete.
Gospel: John 20: 1a & 2-8Now, on the first day after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, she ran to Peter, and the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and she said to them, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb and we don’t know where they have laid him.”
Peter then set out with the other disciple to go to the tomb. They ran together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down and saw the linen cloths lying flat, but he did not enter.
Then Simon Peter came, following him, and entered the tomb; he, too, saw the linen cloths lying flat. The napkin, which had been around his head, was not lying flat like the other linen cloths, but lay rolled up in its place. Then the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went in; he saw and believed.
Reflection:“We are called to be witnesses.”
Today we celebrate the feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist. An Apostle sent out to witness to Jesus Christ. The evangelist records the story of Jesus’ life, death and Resurrection as a witness for future generations. So John is twice a witness. He witnesses to what he has seen, heard and experienced. John followed Jesus throughout his public ministry. He witnessed Jesus’ healing miracles and feeding of the multitude. He listened to Jesus’ preaching. With his brother James and Peter, he got a glimpse of Jesus’ glory in the Transfiguration. He witnessed the Resurrection and spent time with the Risen Lord.
We are not Apostles or evangelists. We are missionary disciples. Like John, we too are called to be witnesses. We can only witness to what we have seen, heard and touched. So we should ask ourselves: How have I seen God present in my life? How have I heard God’s voice in his Word? How have I been touched by God’s love? How can I give witness to all the good things God has done in and through me?
