Greetings on this the Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist
Readings: 1 Jn 1:1-4; Ps 97:1-2, 5-6, 11-12; Jn 20:1a and 2-8
Notes
During the Octave of Christmas we celebrate people. Saint Stephen, Deacon, first of the Christian martyrs; Saint John, Apostle, the one who gave home to the Lord’s Mother; the Holy Innocents, children martyred due to the Incarnation; Simeon, Holy Men; and the gospel portion of the Sixth Day of the Octave of Christmas Anna, holy women. With an honorable mention of Mary Magdalene and the Apostle Simon Peter & the Apostle John.
- Stephen, deacon
- John, apostle
- Holy Innocents
- Holy Family (Feast Day of Prayer)
- Simeon
- Anna
It is so fitting that as a parent is more elated and interested in her children than herself such the Church should always be. Each of the above are holy for their actions of love. For the Holy Innocents, a most unusual celebration near equal to the surrender of Jesus to the will of the Father in the garden: “Father, if you are willing, take this cup away from me; still, not my will but yours be done.”
Summary
In today’s gospel portion Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter to tell him the story of the encounter of the missing Lord. The encounter with the risen Lord is just out of reading scope. It is so we can focus on Mary and her love of the Lord and how she acted in respect to the Lord. She ‘ran’. First as a protective action for the one she loves and then in consideration for the Apostle who loved him too. Once they heard, then Peter and John ran too! And for the same reasons. For all three the same question in effect:
“Sir, if you carried him away, tell me where you laid him, and I will take him.”
Reflection
It is not often that we are called to defend Christ. Christ spends his time defending us. But once in a while we should be moved to run and defend the Church. Not to defend her errors which occur to be sure. But defend the person of Jesus and the promise of divine love and resurrection.
Personal Reflection
The Bishop who ordained me, Bishop Barbarito, made this statement to the priests of the Diocese at a meeting that I happened to be present at to hear. He said to the effect: I will always defend you but if you do something morally wrong, I will not defend you. You must own your behavior and I will defend our mission of the conversion of souls and the promise of the resurrection.
You are not obligated to defend the Church in all matters but what matters the most, which is, Sacramental System of Grace, Salvation, and Resurrection.
Apostle’s Creed
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting.
Amen.
Defend that, and that alone.
First Reading
Beloved: What was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life — for the life was made visible; we have seen it and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was made visible to us— what we have seen and heard we proclaim now to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; for our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing this so that our joy may be complete.
Responsorial
Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
Gospel Acclamation
We praise you, O God, we acclaim you as Lord; the glorious company of Apostles praise you.
Gospel
On the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them. So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first.
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry