Encountering the Risen Jesus in the Gospel of

Encountering the Risen Jesus in the Gospel of John Felix Just, S. J. http: //Catholic-Resources. org Winged Eagle, Symbol of John the Evangelist, by Rudolf Koch

Readings from John during the Easter Season n The Gospel reading at most Sunday liturgies during the Easter Season is not taken from the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, or Luke), but from John’s Gospel. Why? n What messages do these Johannine readings have for us? n What do the words of Jesus to his first disciples

Gospel of John: Intro n Composition History: n Author – “… according to John” (Apostle, son of Zebedee? ) Date – late 90’s? (last or four canonical Gospels) n Location – Jewish/Gentile (Palestine? Syria? Asia n Minor? ) n Theological Emphases: n Jesus: only-begotten Son, sent from the Father, Word of God, Word made Flesh, Revealer, Works/Signs, Equal to God,

Gospel of John: Outline n Prologue: 1: 1 -18 n n “The Book of Signs”: 1: 19 – 12: 50 n n Logos Hymn: Word in beginning with God; Word becomes Flesh Cana Wedding, Nicodemus Dialogue, Samaritan Woman, Healing at Bethesda Pool, Bread of Life, Man Born Blind, Raising Lazarus, etc. “The Book of Glory”: 13: 1 – 20: 31 n Washing Feet, Farewell Discourses, Jesus’ Prayer, Passion Narrative, Crucifixion, Resurrection Appearances, esp. Mary Magd. & Thomas

John in Holy Week n Palm/Passion Sunday (B, opt. ): John 12: 12 -16 n n Holy Thursday (ABC): John 13: 1 -15 n n Jesus Washes Disciples’ Feet Good Friday (ABC): John 18: 1 – 19: 42 n n Jesus Enters into Jerusalem Johannine Passion Narrative Easter Sunday (ABC): John 20: 1 -9 n Mary Magdalene; Peter & Beloved Disciple at Empty Tomb

John in the Easter Season Day/Feast Year A Year B Year C Easter Sunday John 20: 1 -9 [ same as Year A ] 2 nd Sunday John 20: 19 -31 [ same as Year A ] 3 rd Sunday Luke 24: 13 -35 Luke 24: 35 -48 John 21: 1 -19 4 th Sunday John 10: 1 -10 John 10: 11 -18 John 10: 27 -30 5 th Sunday John 14: 1 -12 John 15: 1 -8 John 13: 31 -35 6 th Sunday John 14: 15 -21 John 15: 9 -17 John 14: 23 -29 [ 7 th Sunday ] John 17: 1 -11 a John 17: 11 b-19 John 17: 20 -26 Pentecost Vigil John 7: 37 -39 [ same as Year A ] Pentecost Sun. John 20: 19 -23 Jn 15: 26 -27; 16: 12 Jn 14: 15 -16, 23 b -15 -26

Easter Sunday (ABC) John 20: 1 -9 – Empty Tomb n n n Giovanni Francesco Romanelli; 1641 First day of week, before dawn Mary Magdalene finds tomb empty; runs to tell disciples Peter & B. D. race to tomb See burial clothes; go into tomb B. D. believes, but they don’t understand the scriptures

Octave of Easter Resurrection Appearance Stories read at weekday Masses during the Easter Octave: Jesus appears… n Mon: Matt 28: 8 -15 – to Mary Magdalene & another Mary n Tues: John 20: 11 -18 – to Mary of Magdala by Garden Tomb n n (unfortunately not used in Sunday Lectionary) Wed: Luke 24: 13 -35 – to two disciples on road to Emmaus

Easter Octave: Tuesday John 20: 11 -18 – Jesus appears to Mary of Magdala n n n Mary stands outside tomb, weeping; sees two angels: “Why weep? ” Turns & sees Jesus (gardener? ): “Why weep? Whom do you seek? ” “Mary!” – “Rabbouni” – “Noli me tangere” – “Go, tell my brothers…” Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones; English, 1882

Easter Octave: Friday John 21: 1 -14 – Jesus appears at the Sea of Tiberias n n Disciples (7? ) back in Galilee, fishing; catch nothing (cf. Luke 5: 1 -11) Large catch (153 fish) – “It is the Lord!” – Charcoal fire – Bread & fish Lucas Gassel; Flemish, 1500’s

nd 2 Sunday of Easter (ABC) John 20: 19 -31 – Jesus appears to disciples & Thomas n Evening of first day of week n n n Caravaggio; 1601 n Jesus appears: “Peace to you!” “As Father sent me, I send you” “Receive Holy Spirit; Forgive!” Thomas not there; “We’ve seen…” “I won’t believe unless I see…” One week later, Thomas

rd 3 Sunday of Easter (A&B) Luke

rd 3 Sunday of Easter (C) John 21: 1 -19 (or 1 -14) – Jesus appears at Sea of Tiberias n n Vv. 1 -14 – also used Friday of Octave of Easter Vv. 15 -19 – Dialogue Jesus & Peter (also Friday of 7 th Week of Easter) “Do you love me” – “You know I love you” – “Feed my lambs” n “Do you love me” – “You know I love you” – “Tend my sheep” n “Do you love me” – “You know I love you” – “Feed my Sir James sheep” Thornhill; n ca. 1729

th 4 n Sunday of Easter (A) John 10: 1 -10 (“I am the sheep gate”) Vie de Jésus Mafa

th 4 n Sunday of Easter (B) Year B – John 10: 11 -18 (“I am the good shepherd”) Vie de Jésus Mafa

th 4 Sunday of Easter (C) n Year A – John 10: 1 -10 (“I am the sheep gate”) Year B – John 10: 11 -18 (“I am the good shepherd”) n Year C – John 10: 27 -30 n n n My sheep hear my voice; I know them; they follow me. I give them eternal life; they will never perish. My Father gave them to me; no one can snatch them away. I and the Father are One. Vie de Jésus Mafa

th 5 Sunday of Easter (A) John – Last Supper Discourse

th 5 Sunday of Easter (B) John – Last Supper Discourse

th 5 Sunday of Easter (C) John 13: 31 -33 a, 34 -35 – Last Supper Discourse (begin) n Jesus speaks to the Disciples n [ After Judas departs ] n The Son of Man is glorified; God is glorified Children, I am with you only a little longer n n [omit 33 b: “Where I am going you cannot come”] n I give you a new commandment: Love one another as I have loved you. This is how all will know you are my disciples, n

th 6 Sunday of Easter (A) John – Last Supper Discourse (cont. ) n . Anonymous Woodcuts Reformation Era, 1533

th 6 Sunday of Easter (B) John – Last Supper Discourse (cont. ) n . Anonymous Woodcuts Reformation Era, 1533

th 6 Sunday of Easter (C) John 14: 23 -29 – Last Supper Discourse (cont. ) n n Those who love me will keep my word; my Father will love them. Paraclete/Advocate, whom the Father will send, will teach you. My Peace I give you; do not let your hearts be troubled. I’m going away; I’ll come back; I’ve told you, so you may believe. Anonymous Woodcuts Reformation Era, 1533

Ascension of the Lord n Readings from the Synoptic Gospels: Year A – Matthew 28: 16 -20 n Year B – Mark 16: 15 -20 n Year C – Luke 24: 46 -53 n n No Ascension Narrative in John’s Gospel n Cf. 3: 13; 6: 62; 20: 17 – Jesus talks about descending & ascending

[ 7 th Sunday of Easter ] n Great Prayer of Jesus / High Priestly Prayer Year A – John 17: 1 -11 a n Year B – John 17: 11 b-19 n Year C – John 17: 20 -26 n n n Also used Tues–Thus of 7 th Week of Easter, each year Now supplanted by readings for Ascension

Vigil of Pentecost John 7: 37 -39 (Years ABC) n n On last day of Feast (Tabernacles) “Let anyone who thirsts come to me and drink; Rivers of living water will flow from within the one who believes in me” n n not a direct OT quote; cf. Num 20: 2 -13; Isa 12: 3; 44: 3; 55: 1 Narrator: This refers to the Spirit, that believers were to

Pentecost Sunday n Year A – John 20: 19 -23 n n n Same as 1 st half of reading for 2 nd Sunday of Easter (w/o Thomas) Year B – John 15: 26 -27; 16: 12 -15 (optional) n n n Jesus appears; breathes on disciples: “Receive the Holy Spirit” “The Paraclete, Spirit of Truth… will testify to me, and you will testify. ” “The Spirit of Truth will guide you to all truth” Year C – John 14: 15 -16, 23 b-26 (optional) n “The Father will give you another Paraclete, to be with you always. ”

Conclusion n Use of John’s Gospel during Easter Season Resurrection Narratives: Empty Tomb Story n Resurrection Narratives: Appearance Stories n Jesus as the Good Shepherd n Peter & Apostles as Shepherds n Coming of the Paraclete / Holy Spirit / Spirit of Truth n Believing, Seeing, Hearing, Reading n Children of God; Eternal Life n