December 27 2024 - St. John, Apostle and Evangelist - So our joy might be complete

 

Yesterday, the Church celebrated the first martyr of the Church, the deacon St. Stephen. Today we celebrate the only one of the faithful apostles not to be martyred, yet one who loved Christ from the depths of his soul, St. John the evangelist, the patron of our Diocese.

And for his feast today, we read two passages of his writings: his Gospel account of running with St. Peter to the empty tomb and also the beginning of his first New Testament letter.

Like the prologue of his Gospel, which we read on Christmas morning, the prologue of his first epistle describes the incarnation of Christ—how the Eternal Word made his dwelling among us. 

St. John laid his head on the breast of the Lord at the last supper, and did you notice how John echoed the Lord’s Last supper discourse in his opening lines? John explains that the reason he is writing is so that our joy might be complete. Here John echoes the Lord’s teaching explaining why it is so important for us to remain united to him as branches to the vine. We are to remain united to Him by following his commandments, by loving one another, so that his joy might be in us, and our joy might be complete.

And now in the opening lines of his letter, John claims that he is writing for the same purpose. John sees his vocation as apostle and evangelist for the purpose of helping souls become and remain united to Christ, that life and joy might full our lives. John writes so that we may know Christ, and believe in Christ, and understand his teachings, and obey his commands, so that the life of Christ may animate us. 

During Advent we considered the Church’s mission: to help souls prepare for Christmas. Now, we might consider the Church’s Christmas mission: to help souls draw near to the one born for us, to love him and be ever-more united with Him.

Therefore, we do well to invoke St. John to aid us in our Christmas mission: to help us, like him, to proclaim the Word-made-flesh with integrity and courage, to grow in loving union with the Word through prayer and charity, to help us run with great effort in the Christian life, that we may come to see his glory, that the Lord’s joy might be in us, and our joy might be complete for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.

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We bring forth now our prayers of petitions.

For the Church of Cleveland under the patronage of St. John, apostle and evangelist, for Bishop Malesic all the clergy, religious and lay faithful, that together we may witness faithfully and tirelessly to the truth of the Gospel

That the birth of the Prince of Peace may bring renewed unity and healing for the people and leaders of our nation; and for the protection of our armed forces, police and firefighters, and all those who risk their lives to preserve our security and freedom. 

For those burdened by illness, depression, joylessness, mental distress, or any other difficulty: that they will experience the tenderness and compassion born for us on Christmas. 

For all who have died, and for all the poor souls in purgatory, and for X. for whom this Mass is offered.

Incline your merciful ear to our prayers, we ask, O Lord, and listen in kindness to the supplications of those who call on you. Through Christ our Lord