Today December 27

Today is the feast of St. John the Evangelist (first century - died c. 100), friend of Our Lord, beloved of Him. His name, "John," even means "gift of God," but also, "one to whom a gift is given [by God]." And surely this great saint, philosopher, theologian and writer (patron of all three), was given great gifts: the revelation of secrets, for one, and the mother of God, for another. Because to him was entrusted Mary, Jesus' mother -- and what possible greater gift could be given (other than eternal life itself)?

According to long tradition, John went to Ephesus after the Pentecost and founded many churches. It was from there the emperor Domitian had him exiled to the island of Patmos, where he wrote the book of Revelation. He later returned to Ephesus, where he wrote his Gospel and three epistles. Somewhat impetuous in nature (he was, after all, nicknamed "Boanerges", or "Son of Thunder"), he was also very generous (he offered to drink of the cup Our Lord drank -- implying he would accept similar suffering and death). He alone of all the apostles is said not to have been a martyr -- indeed, when Jesus was asked "Lord, what about this man?" [meaning John], He said, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" This may indicate that he was not to die immediately, but to live on. And what a good thing he did so! It gave the early Church the benefit of his long reflection and soaring theology, for which we give him the symbol of the eagle.

Of the stories attached to him later, he is said to have raised his platonic female friend Drusiana from the dead, to have rebuked the philosopher Crato from encouraging two zealous young men to sell all they had in order to buy some precious gems and then smashing them in public to prove their disdain of worldly goods (John encouraged them to use them for the poor), to have resuscitated a dead youth, to have drunk poison without harm, to have restored to faith a reprobate robber -- and pursued him on horseback despite his great age. Week after week he preached at Mass: "My sons, love one another!" When asked why he was always saying the same thing, he replied, "Because it is the commandment of the Lord, and if this alone is obeyed, it is enough."

He died in great age in Ephesus, his last words being, "Lord Jesus, I thank you for welcoming me and knowing that I have longed for you with all my heart." St. John, pray for us.