The one whom Jesus loved

In the gospel today, we hear about two disciples, Simon Peter, and “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” While I know many biblical scholars have identified this unnamed disciple as John, to be known as the one whom Jesus loved is a big deal, because Jesus IS love, so to be the ONE whom Jesus loved seems important. Yet he is not named, and I wonder why. Could it be he was not named because he is me? Not because I am fast in a foot race, or am particularly special among all people, but because I know Jesus loves me. I know if I got to the tomb first I would have hesitated. How many times in my life have I gotten to the foot of something and stalled, and waited for someone else to go and show me it was safe? But after he entered, this disciple saw and believed, even though he may not have understood. And so it is with me. There is a lot I do not understand, but I still believe. And one of the things that I do not understand is the love of Jesus and God the Father. He gave the disciple whom he loved the ability to turn away from the tomb, to not believe. He gave love as a gift, expecting nothing in return. I think that the disciple is unnamed so that we, as beloved children of God, can see ourselves there. Each of us can be the disciple whom Jesus loved. But it takes belief, even when we, like the disciple need someone else to go first.

My wife is a strong disciple of Jesus. Often in our marriage, she is the one that enters when I am sitting at the entrance, but frozen in fear. When she enters, it gives me strength and courage to follow her, and to believe. Sometimes it is as simple as going to mass when we know that our children are going to fight it and have to be taken into a cry room, sometimes it is harder and bigger. She enters, and I follow and because I saw her belief and strength, I believe. But I know there may be times in our marriage where I am Simon Peter and she needs me to enter first and for her to follow. But always, we both can be the disciple whom Jesus loved. This discipleship does not require us to be always brave or strong, nor does it require us to be flawless and rocksteady in our belief. This discipleship requires only that we accept that were are the one whom Jesus loved.

Author: Patrick Triplett, Learning Specialist