Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist

Antiphon for the Benedictus: This is the same John who on the Lord's bosom at the Last Supper: the blessed Apostle, unto whom were revealed the secrets of heaven. (Brotherhood Prayer Book)

Today our Synod commemorates the Blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John. St. Bede the Venerable noted that these three days after Christmas commemorate martyrs of different sorts. First, St. Stephen who was a martyr in both will and deed. Next, St. John who was a martyr in will, but not in deed - for though persecuted and exiled, he died a natural death. Finally, tomorrow, the Holy Innocents, who were martyrs in deed, but not in will.

The story is told of the aged John that he was carried into the Church to preach and he just kept repeating over and over again: "Little children, love one another." It was the heart and core of the new life that he had come to know and see shine through our Lord Jesus Christ: a love that beckons us all to enter its embrace and share it.

For Your belov'd disciple
Exiled to Patmos' shore,
And for his faithful record,
We praise You evermore.
Praise for the mystic vision
Through him to us revealed;
May we, in patience waiting,
With Your elect be sealed. (LSB 517:8)

Merciful Lord, we beseech Thee to cast the bright beams of Thy light upon Thy Church, that it, being instructed by the doctrines of Thy blessed Apostle and Evangelist Saint John, may attain to the light of everlasting life, through the same Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.