The Feast of St John | Tuesday 27 December 2022

Today is Tuesday the 27th of December, the feast of Saint John.

Paul Zach sings, ‘Unto Us’.

Glory to God in the highest of heights
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests
Glory to God in the highest of heights
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests
Unto us, unto us a child has been born
Messiah, Christ the Lord
Glory to God in the highest of heights
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests
Glory to God in the highest of heights
and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests
Unto us, unto us a child has been born
Messiah, Christ the Lord
Unto us, unto us a child has been born
Messiah, Christ the Lord
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
I bring you good news of great joy
Do not be afraid
Do not be afraid
I bring you good news of great joy

Today’s reading is from the Gospel of John.


John 20:2-8

So Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed.

Today is the feast day of St John the Evangelist. By tradition, the ‘one that Jesus loved’ and the writer of, perhaps, the most spiritual and symbolic of the gospels. Perhaps, given John’s intricate telling of Jesus’ life, it is right that this reading of the Resurrection should be so close to the miraculous birth? How does this reading speak to you at this time?


In today’s scripture reading, there has been an understanding that the ‘other’ disciple is John, himself. Another understanding is that, by not naming the ‘other’ disciple then that person could well be you. If you have taken the gospel to heart. If you have courage and faith, then could you outrun Peter? And witness, within yourself to who Jesus truly is. How does this change your response to the reading?

As you listen to the reading again, think about your own faith discoveries. The disciple bends down in the empty tomb. How does this speak to you, only a few days after bowing to the new-born child in a manger?

‘He saw and he believed’. Ask the Lord, in prayer, to help you to ‘see’, to bring to your life what is needed.


Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.