THE GREAT ENCOUNTER
As we reflect on the life and ministry of John the Apostle and Evangelist, whose feast we celebrate today, we take a step back to that very moment he was called by the Lord. What was that first encounter like? What part of the Sea of Galilee did Jesus meet him? We know that John, his father, and brother James were mending their nets when they first met Jesus. Jesus called both brothers only. They left behind their father and followed the Lord. Did the brother have the time to think it over, to ponder on the invitation? Did they understand the ramification of their “yes” decision? Did the decision to abandon everything, even their father, and follow the Lord come easy? Did their father Zebedee object to their decision or not?
These are questions that only the two brothers can answer. One thing is certain as the Scripture said they followed the Lord without hesitation. If we compare their responses to that of the young rich man who asked the Lord, “what I can do to enter into eternal life.” The Lord asked him to “sell all that he had and come and follow him.” Unfortunately, the young rich man could not get himself to do what Jesus asked of him. He walked away sad. This moment is one of the saddest stories in the bible. It is the first time someone has ever encountered Jesus in scripture and went away sad. He could not ‘let go’ of his security, his wealth, and his material possessions.
Another story would be that of Mary, Mother of God. The very moment Mary receives her message from the angel Gabriel was the greatest moment in her life, so also the moment Jesus met John the Evangelist, the greatest encounter, a sacred moment. Both Mary and John showed sacrificial love. Both never looked back. Jesus says, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God” (Luke 9:62).
In the first reading (1 John 1:1-4), John the Evangelist referred to himself as one of the eyewitnesses to the life and ministry of Jesus, “What we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we looked upon and touched with our hands concerns the Word of life for the life was made visible…” (1 John 1-2)
If I were to begin a story with “once upon a time,” you know that the story you are about to hear is a fairytale. But John’s story or account is not a “once upon a time” story, because he says that he had physically seen Jesus while on the earth:
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth” (1:14).
In the middle of the crucifixion account, John adds: “He who saw it has borne witness” (19:35).
Lastly, John summarizes his work at the end of the Gospel: “This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true” (21:24).
John was one of the three apostles who were particularly close to Jesus. John was present when the Lord restored the daughter of Jairus to life; he was a witness to the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor and was at the Last Supper. John followed the Lord after he was arrested; he was also present during the interrogations and trials of Jesus. John
followed Jesus on the way to Golgotha, was at the foot of the Cross, heard the words of the Crucified Lord addressed to Mary from the Cross: “Woman, behold Thy son.” Then the Lord said to John, “Behold thy Mother” (John 19:26-27).
Knowledge and friendship, truth and love feed each other. Jesus had personal encounters with his disciples, including John. He came to know them, befriended the real person rather than some mirage. C. S. Lewis once wrote, “You will not find a warrior, the poet, the philosopher, or the Christian by staring into his eyes…. better fight beside him, read with him, argue with him, pray with him”. The friendship that Christ offers is deeply personal.
Today, we are called to reflect on that “sacred moment,” that ‘deeply personal relationship we have with Jesus. We pray and reflect on our own “great encounter” with the Lord. If you are married, think about the moment you first met your spouse. For those called to the religious life or priesthood, think about the moment you realize the Lord wants you to enter this special relationship with Him. For those called to a single life, think about the moment you became convinced that it was God’s plan for you.
Every call or vocation requires time to let go. ‘Letting go’ requires prayer and patience. Patience is a virtue that carries a lot of weight. Like John and Mary, we’ve got to let go and let God. Let’s quit trying to ‘help’ God fix things. Let’s trust in Him.
Christmas and New Year are a time of new beginnings. May your ‘yes’ to the Lord be alive and a source of your encouragement throughout the year. May next Christmas find your ‘yes’ still unchanged and uncompromised, Amen.
