Homily for Tuesday of Holy Week

What a variety of responses to Jesus in the final days of His life! Judas slinks off into the dark, while the beloved disciple reclined next to Jesus, literally “upon his chest.” In his opening chapter, the evangelist described Jesus as “upon the chest of the Father” (or in the Father’s bosom). This beloved disciple seems to have a similarly close relationship with Jesus. He is an iconic figure, the kind of disciple we are all invited to become.

The beloved disciple is not given a definite name, because we are all invited to put our own name on him. We can identify with him and seek to be like him. We are called to the same relationship with Jesus as the beloved disciple had. That is why Jesus goes on to say, “As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love.” We can share in Our LORD’s special relationship with his Father in heaven.

That is something to ponder, during this Holy Week.+