St. John the Apostle

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Share this video with your Catholic kids about St. John the Apostle, whose feast we celebrate today.

 

Did you know?

The apostle John appears to have been quite the hothead. In the Gospel narratives, he frequently comes off as the angry young man, full of passionate loves and equally passionate hates. It’s John getting ticked when outsiders start swanning around like they own the joint and casting out demons in the name of Jesus:

“John said in reply, ‘Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow in our company.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you’” (Lk 9:49-50).

Likewise, it’s John who wants to call down fire from heaven on the Samaritans — and who gets a stern rebuke from Jesus for it (Lk 9:51-56).

Moreover, it’s John and his brother James who ambitiously go to Jesus (along with their Mom) and try to get a leg up on the rest of the apostles by asking Jesus to give them the best seats in the kingdom, at his right and left hand (Mt 20:20-28).

It’s not surprising, then, that Jesus nicknames Zebedee’s boys “Boanerges” or the “Sons of Thunder” (Mk 3:17). These are not shrinking violets but guys who live out loud, tell you what they think and want it all. There is a thirst for life in John. He wants to understand what is going on, and he listens when Jesus speaks. More than that, he ruminates on it when he gets an answer. For, make no mistake, John sees Jesus as Lord with a capital L. That is why, even during his earthly ministry, John is already convinced that Jesus is going to get that kingdom of his father David, and he wants in on the ground floor.