Gospel: December 27, 2025
December 27, 2025 (Saturday)
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 1:1-4
Gospel: John 20:1a & 2-8
Now, on the first day after the Sabbath, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning while it was still dark, and she saw that the stone blocking the tomb had been moved away.
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:
“He saw and believed.”
“We have seen Eternal Life and we bear witness… It was with the Father and made himself known to us.” Here we have the prologue of John’s Gospel, the resurrection, and the witness of the first disciples all summed up in a few words.
It might seem curious to have a passage about the resurrection just after Christmas, but that is precisely why Christ was born: to redeem us and to make known the new life that is found in him; an eternal life that is the source of our joy.
Prompted by Mary Magdalen, Peter and John the beloved disciple run to the tomb. John sees the position of the cloths and he comes to understand what has happened. This is no robbery or hasty transfer of Christ’s body.
The facecloth is rolled up separately. It’s a deliberate act, showing that Christ has done this himself. “He saw and believed.” John looks and then he looks more closely and comes to believe. This is the path we are to follow.
We are to deepen our faith and understanding of Christ through the Scriptures and the prayer of the Church. We give thanks for the Good News we have received.
