Today is the Third Day of Christmas
Eucharistic Readings for St John the Evangelist
Exodus 33:18 to 23; Psalm 92; 1st John 1:1 to 9: John 21: 19 to 24:
“This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.” (John 21:24)
John is one of at least five Apostles that the Gospel shows written evidence of being handpicked by Jesus. Oh the Gospel says he had 12 but some were just joiners I guess. John and James, Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and later Matthew (Levi; Matthew 9:9), were actually invited with the words, “follow me,” and they accepted. There was also the rich young man but he declined the invitation of our Lord, (Matthew 19:21). His name could have been among the 12 (or five). He was invited but his many possessions had control of him. There is a lesson in this for you and me.
John wrote, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made” (John 1: 1 to 3). We have a beginning from One who has no beginning.
We must recognize the testimony of John as a divine revelation and message. All of his words, from the Gospel according to John, his pastoral letters, and the Divine Revelation from our Lord Jesus, are God’s doing and it is for our benefit. Thank You Lord Jesus.
I have come to recognize and appreciate that our Church, has been built on the written words from past experiences of people, and primarily from the Bible. Perhaps the greatest contribution we could do for those who come after us is to also write something of our own experiences. In this way we give back, even if just a little, as a token of our appreciation for what has been given to us.
The testimony of John the fisherman, made an apostle, about our Lord Jesus is true; Believe. Merry Christmas: Day 3
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: Saint John December 27 (BCP p. 238)
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light, that we, being illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 