Day 114 -- Saint John the Apostle

"Perfect Love Casts Out Fear."
1 John 4:17

Saint John the Apostle is the patron saint of friendships. I have two particular friends whose friendships has grown deeper and closer this past year and I would like to say a prayer in thanksgiving today to Saint John. Also, Saint John wrote 1 John, and this quote above was the one that I chose when I coordinated the Women's Cursillo Weekend in November 2009.

Saint John was the son of Zebedee and Salome and brother of Saint James the Greater. He was a fisherman. He was a disciple of Saint John the friends with Saint Peter. When Jesus began his public ministry Saint John became a faithful follower and then traveled everywhere with Jesus. He became known as the beloved disciple. He was there at the Last Supper. Saint John was the only one from the Twelve not to leave Jesus in his hour of His Passion, and he stood by at the foot of the cross. While on the cross, Jesus left him in charge of Our Lady and Saint John took her into his home. After hearing of Jesus' resurrection, he was the first person to reach the tomb and when he saw our Risen Lord, he was the first to recognize him.

Saint John was imprisoned with Peter for preaching after Pentecost. Saint John wrote the fourth Gospel, three Epistles, and possibly the Book of Revelation. He survived all of his fellow apostles.

Saint John died around the year 101 in Ephesus (modern Turkey). Once a year his grave gave off a fragrant dust that cured the sick. A church was built was over his tomb, and was later converted to a mosque.


PRAYER
O Glorious Saint John, you were so loved by Jesus that you merited to rest your head upon his breast, and to be left in his place as a son to Mary. Obtain for us an ardent love for Jesus and Mary. Let me be united with them now on earth and forever after in heaven.