Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John, the Apostle. Although the Gospel of John never reveals the name of the “beloved disciple” tradition has identified him with John, the son of Zebedee, one of the twelve apostles and author of the fourth Gospel. For some reason, the old Smothers brothers’ comedy routine comes to mind whenever I hear about the “disciple whom Jesus loved.” The playful argument (paraphrased here) takes place between Dick, the straight man and his slower brother, Tommy:
Tommy: Mom always liked you best. Mom always liked my brother best and she never liked me.
Dick: Why do you always keep telling everyone, “Mom always liked you best”? Every time you get mad you say, “Mom always liked you best.“
Tommy: Oh yea?! Well… well, mom always liked you best!
Such sibling rivalry seems so inconsistent with what we know about Jesus. Surely he doesn’t play favorites. Doesn’t Jesus love us all equally? And yet, today’s reading refers to Peter and “the other disciple whom Jesus loved.”
Tommy: You always picked on me! You and mom… my mom and my brother got together to say, “we don’t like you” because mom always liked you best!
This other disciple outruns Peter, reaching the tomb first (mentioned twice, as if to rub it in). He’s the one who saw and believed (as if to imply that Peter did not).
Dick: Do you know why she liked me best?
Tommy: She - er, OH?!
Dick: Sure she liked me best. Why not? Would you like to know why she liked me best? Do you wanna know why?
Tommy: I didn’t know she liked you best…
To understand John we need to know a little about the Johannine community he wrote to. Most likely, this early Christian community traced its foundation to one of Jesus’ followers who came to be known as the “beloved disciple.” The writer of John wanted to show that the witness value of this founder rivaled that of Peter. So the author “builds up” this unnamed disciple to establish his credentials with the community.
Further, many early Christians began to see Christianity more as spiritual enlightenment in which salvation came to a select few who were “in the know.” So the author of John also wanted counter the threat that Christianity would become more about what you know as opposed to who you know. The “beloved disciple” shows us the importance of the love that exists not only between him and Jesus, but also between Jesus and us. The Gospel of John thus calls each one of us to enter into a similar deep and loving relationship with Jesus.
Echoing the first reading, God calls us into the most important fellowship, the only relationship that will make our joy complete. God calls each of us to become the disciple whom Jesus loves… because only Jesus can love each of us the best.
Rev. John Shea, SJ
I grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and first met the Jesuits as an undergraduate majoring in biology at John Carroll University. My experience of doing the Spiritual Exercises in my senior year influenced my later decision to join the Jesuits after graduating from The Ohio State University with a PhD in Evolutionary Biology in 2003. As a Jesuit, I have taught Parasitology, Zoology, Ecology, and Science and Religion. After my ordination in 2014, I came to Creighton to teach in the Biology Department.
In addition to my passion for parasites, I enjoy Doctor Who, hiking in the great outdoors, and praying with God’s word. I look forward to finding and sharing the graces from the daily readings with Creighton’s extensive on-line community.
