December 27th - Reflection

John, Apostle and Evangelist
John 21:20-25 (NRSV)

Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, "Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?" When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus said to him, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!" So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?"
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.

Reflection
There is a question of doubt left behind here. Peter asks Jesus "Lord, what about him?" At first glance I jump to John being "him." But then again "him" could be the author of the book or a scribe, someone different from John. Or could "him" come to mean you or me?  But Jesus does say that it's not about the death as much as it's about Jesus' will that we remain in until Jesus comes again.

So we look to follow the will of Jesus. The will of Jesus remains in truth. And our testimony of Jesus will testify to the truth. Jesus' truth lives on beyond the confines of the written word and into the active word of the Church to be. Jesus truth lives on with the Holy Spirit in the presence and lives of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. This is that Church gathered together under Jesus. The One church. Not some denomination or organization but the One Church that spans space and time and testifies to Jesus. And in this..."I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."

Jesus our Savior, our Lord, and our Prophetic Guide leads us to the Holy Spirit and gives us a direct endorsement that we will belong to this Church with Jesus at the head and the Spirit spread throughout all space and time with the Father.

"Lord, what about him?" He is amazing! Jesus will be in "him" and Jesus will be in you and me and we are in Jesus.

We have the written Word of the Bible and we have the Word made flesh. Testify! Thanks be to God!

Reflection
Jesus, you became flesh, were born, lived, suffered, died and rose again. You became flesh and dwell with us and in us. You became one of us and live eternally. You bridged the gap between heaven and earth. You gave each one of us a peek at the glory of heaven and eternity. As I proclaim your glory along with so many others, receive all these words as words of praise and thanksgiving. Receive these words as childish curiosity. For I depend on you for everything I need. You are my Lord and Savior. Thanks be to God! --- Amen