27 December.  St John. Apostle and evangelist.    Read, reflect, share, pray.  The apostle John is often described in the gospels as ‘the one whom Jesus loved.” He was also chosen to remain with the early Christian community for a long time after the death of Jesus and the other apostles, as a witness of God’s love. The writings of the gospel of John, the three letters and the book of Revelation are all attributed to him directly or indirectly. He writes much about love and becoming one, becoming united. He presents the contrasting images of light and darkness with reference to Jesus. These natural qualities are always called for but can be seen as being particularly important for our world and our time.  Countries’ victory in the Rugby World Cup or other sporting competitions is sometimes celebrated with the song “The world in union.” But apart from a few brief moments union is not the reality in all of creation.  This was the message that the Peace Children and their pilgrimage to Bethlehem were hoping to bring to the world.

Scripture: That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you may have fellowship with us and our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.  And we are writing this that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:1-4.   Pope Francis:  Goodness, together with love, justice and solidarity, are not achieved once and for all; they have to be realized each day.   For there to be solid and lasting advance in addressing climate change I would insist that preferences should be given to multilateral agreements between states. We are speaking above all of more effective world organisations, equipped with the power to provide for the global common good, the elimination of hunger and poverty and the sure defence of fundamental human rights.  LD 34-35