John, Your beloved disciple,
understood that he was loved.
And he received Your love
openly,
unconditionally.

As I reflect on his closeness to You,
I think of moments in my own life
when I hesitated,
doubted,
and was even afraid
to be loved by others.

Afraid of vulnerability.
Afraid of disappointment.

Yet John shows me
that to be beloved
is not something to earn,
but something to receive.

Teach me, Lord,
to stand by Your Cross
as John did,
and to welcome love as he did—
without fear,
without conditions,
without retreat.

Dec 27, Feast of Saint John, Apostle and Evangelist