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Dear Parish Faithful,
Today we commemorate St. John the Evangelist, also known as the Theologian. That title is ascribed to St. John, because as the author of the fourth Gospel, he
"Ascended to the heights of theology, and learned the ineffable mysteries of God." (Apostikha of Vespers).
This "ineffable mystery" is the trinitarian nature of God, expressed in the same apostikha as:
"The unity of the essence of the Godhead; one glory, one Kingdom, one Dominion, ever divided into three Persons, yet undivided and united in a divine Unity without confusion. In this way you proclaimed Him, glorifying the undivided Trinity."
We find that same "ineffable mystery" primarily - though not exclusively - in the Prologue of the Gospel, with the magnificent beginning that: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (Jn. 1:1-2)
Then the equally magnificent - yet startling - verse 14: "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth."
It was St. John Chrysostom - of course! - who said that if you are seeking "proof" as to the inspired nature of the Fourth Gospel, then simply read the Prologue!
This same incarnational revelation is found in the First Epistle of St. John, where one can sense the sheer amazement he has about the Word made flesh:
That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life - the life was manifest, and we saw it, and testify to it, and proclaim to you the eternal life which was with the Father and was made manifest to us ..." (I Jn. 1:1-2)
We, too, testify to the Word of life made flesh in the Church, and in the lives we live in the world. For our fellowship "is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ." (I Jn. 1:3)
