GOSPEL

From the Gospel according to John 20:1a and 2-8

On the first day of the week,
Mary Magdalene ran and went to Simon Peter
and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them,
“They have taken the Lord from the tomb,
and we do not know where they put him.”
So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb.
They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter
and arrived at the tomb first;
he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in.
When Simon Peter arrived after him,
he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there,
and the cloth that had covered his head,
not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place.
Then the other disciple also went in,
the one who had arrived at the tomb first,
and he saw and believed.

The Gospel of the Lord

Always Filled with Joy

Today we honor the feast of St. John the Evangelist, the apostle who humbly refers to himself as “the one Jesus loved.” How inspiring it is to live with this awareness! If we truly understood how profoundly Christ loves us, it would be so much harder to offend Him—meaning, to sin.
This realization would transform everything: I would feel constant joy in the spouse God has entrusted to me, in my work, my children, my life, and my community.
Every sin originates from doubting God’s love. As St. John Paul II so wisely taught.

Applied to married life:

John: Fiorella, you’ve seemed so joyful lately—what’s your secret?
Fiorella: It’s Christmas, my dear husband, and my heart rejoices in God.
John: But how do you stay so positive through challenges? Just today, for example, the baby’s crying kept us awake all night.
Fiorella: Because I’m confident in God’s love. Today, He allowed me to share in the sleeplessness He endures for His Church, which groans in labor pains awaiting redemption. I embraced this gift with gratitude and joy.

Holy Mother,

In you, we live, move, and have our being. Hold us in your Heart and bring us to new life in Heaven. Amen.