Feast of Saint John, Apostle and evangelist

They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed. 

Sometimes we are like John. We hear some news and run off. We race ahead. When we arrive at where we are going, we can be tempted to jump right in, but John takes a moment to look before he leaps. Why does he do this? We do not know. Perhaps he is afraid of what he sees. Or maybe he knows Peter should be the first disciple to cross the threshold. Fear or humility... or both... or neither. It is hard to say because we cannot ask him. Perhaps John wonders if his eyes are tricking him... as if all he sees is just wishful thinking and he needs confirmation from Peter before he can fully embrace what his heart is telling him. Sometimes we are like that. We need some sort of confirmation that what we believe is true, where we are going is the right way, what we are doing is for the best. This confirmation can come from many people, places, or things, but all of them have one source... God. It is He who reaffirms our beliefs and helps us take the next step in our lives... to cross the threshold to holiness.

Are we running toward God or away from Him? How can we reaffirm the faith of others as well as our own? Are we willing to cross the threshold to holiness?

O Lord, we believe.

Amen.

Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

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; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.

St. John the Apostle was the only disciple to stay with Jesus throughout his Passion and he is the first one to arrive at the tomb after the Resurrection. He runs there after Mary Magdalene tells the disciples that Jesus has been take from the tomb. However, when he arrives he does not go in, but allows Peter to go in first. His love for the Lord is made plain by the simple act of running, while his humility is shown by his deference to Peter.

How do we express our love for God and humility towards His Church? What are the things we run for in our lives? Are they leading us toward God or away from him?

O Lord, give us the faithfulness of St. John so that we might run to you with feet grounded in humility.

Amen.