We can't forget St. John the Evangelist

December 27th is the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. This year his feast day falls on a Sunday so it simply is not celebrated this year. The Sunday that falls immediately after Christmas Day is always celebrated as the Feast of the Holy Family.

But I wanted to reflect for a moment on St. John who played such an important role in the salvation story. St. John was the young disciple called to be one of the twelve. John, it is believed, is the one called in Scripture the beloved disciple. John is the one who drew close to Jesus at the last supper. It is John who, unlike the other 10 remaining apostles, stood at the foot of the cross as Jesus hung there, breathing his last. This is the same John who Jesus looked at with love and said behold your mother. And Scripture tells us that from that moment John took care of Mary.

John was the only Apostle who lived well into old age. He is the only one of the original twelve who did not suffer martyrdom. He was exiled to the tiny island of Patmos. It is here that tradition tells us that he wrote the Book of Revelation.

St. John also wrote the "fourth" Gospel. This beautiful Gospel is unlike the other three. Among the significant differences are the symbolic discourses of Jesus, the emphasis on love, the ordering of events and the way in which John attached divine significance to miracles. John's beautiful quote in chapter 3 verse 16 is among the most oft quoted lines from Scripture. And John chapter 6 is the much beloved bread of life discourse which helps all Christians to understand the real meaning of the Eucharist.

So even though we don't have the same opportunity this year to celebrate liturgy for the Feast of the Evangelist, let us remember St. John on this Feast of the Holy Family and in the days ahead. St. John the Evangelist, pray for us!