Episode Details

We celebrate today the feast of St. John, the Apostle, and Evangelist. He is the human author and instrument of the Holy Spirit in writing the fourth gospel. He was the youngest of the Lord's close followers. He was the only apostle at the foot of the cross. We admire him especially for this, since he gave his heart to God from a young age. His vocation was properly speaking a celibate one. He did not marry. Hence, we are reminded of the gift of apostolic celibacy to the church. This means that celibacy is not really about efficiency and focus in the church. Having no spouse to care about, the celibate can concentrate all his energies to the Lord's service. But the principal thing about this path is that it is a gift of God. It is not just the initiative of man but God's. Aside from the obvious reasons of procedure and efficiency, the undivided heart can dedicate all its energies to God's service. That is why he could stand at the foot of the Cross of Jesus. He is also the recipient of Mary, His Mother, and he is the model for all of us in being a child of Mary and of missionary zeal.