Tuesday of Holy Week
Today’s gospel has two principal characters, besides Jesus.
The first is Judas. St John describes how Judas headed off into the dark. It was night!
The second is the so-called “beloved disciple.” This is the disciple Jesus loved. He is described as having reclined next to Jesus, literally, “close to his chest.”
In his opening chapter, the evangelist John affirmed that Jesus was “close to the Father’s chest” (or in the Father’s bosom). The phrase suggests that Our Lord’s affection for this beloved disciple was like Jesus’ own relationship with the Father.
No name is given to this friend of Jesus. What is the reason behind this?
Some have suggested that the “beloved disciple” is an inspirational image of the kind of person we are all called to become. This disciple is not named in John’s gospel, because we are all invited to link our name to his, to identify with him, and learn from him.
For St John the Evangelist, we are all called to be beloved disciples of Jesus. We can be as close to Jesus as He is to the Father. “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love…”
He wants us as joined with him as He is with his Father. That is our privileged calling, this Holy Week and throughout our lives.
Reflection: Do I want to be as close to Jesus, as Jesus is to His Father? How can I become close to Jesus?
Reflection by Archbishop Jerome Hanus, OSB
Posted in Articles for Lent, Daily Reflections, Lenten Resources