Monday, April 17 : Rupert of Deutz

In proportion to the grace that caused Jesus to love him and enabled him to rest on Jesus’ breast at the Supper (Jn 13,23), John abundantly received [the Spirit’s gifts] of understanding and wisdom (Is 11,2) – understanding with which to comprehend Scripture, wisdom with which to compose his own books with wonderful skill. As a matter of fact he did not receive this gift right from the time when he rested on our Lord’s breast, even if he was subsequently able to draw from that heart “in which are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2,3). When he says that when he went into the tomb “he saw and he believed”, he acknowledges that “they did not yet understand the Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead” (Jn 20,9). Like all the other apostles, John received its fulness when the Holy Spirit came [at Pentecost] and when grace had been given to each of them “according to the measure of Christ’s gift” (Eph 4,7)… The Lord Jesus loved this disciple more than all the others… and opened the secrets of heaven to him… to make of him the author of that profound mystery man can say nothing about of himself: the mystery of the Word, God’s Utterance, the Word made flesh. This is the fruit of that love. Yet even though he loved him it was not to him that Jesus said: “You are Peter, and on this rock I shall build my Church” (Mt 16,18)… While he loved all his disciples, and especially Peter, with a love in mind and soul, our Lord loved John with the love of his heart… In the order of apostleship Simon Peter received the first place and the “keys of the Kingdom of heaven” (Mt 16,19); but John won another inheritance: the spirit of understanding, “a wealth of joy and gladness” (Sir 15,6).

maronite readings – rosary,team