But the other disciple ran faster than Peter

27 DECEMBER (Jn 20,2-8)

Single race and ecclesial communion must necessarily meet, stand together, reflect together and reach the one true faith. Everyone is allowed to make his run. He is also allowed to leave together, but in the journey to outdo the other. However, it is vital to stop then, because the other is necessary to the truth of our faith. St. Paul is an experienced runner. But he always stops to make the point with the others. Stopping is a need of truth, fellowship , growth as one body.

Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified (1Cor 9,24-27).

(But) whatever gains I had, these I have come to consider a loss because of Christ. More than that, I even consider everything as a loss because of the supreme good of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have accepted the loss of all things and I consider them so much rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having any righteousness of my own based on the law but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God, depending on faith to know him and the power of his resurrection and (the) sharing of his sufferings by being conformed to his death, if somehow I may attain the resurrection from the dead. It is not that I have already taken hold of it or have already attained perfect maturity, but I continue my pursuit in hope that I may possess it, since I have indeed been taken possession of by Christ (Jesus). Brothers, I for my part do not consider myself to have taken possession. Just one thing: forgetting what lies behind but straining forward to what lies ahead, I continue my pursuit toward the goal, the prize of God’s upward calling, in Christ Jesus. Let us, then, who are “perfectly mature” adopt this attitude. And if you have a different attitude, this too God will reveal to you. Only, with regard to what we have attained, continue on the same course (Phil 3,7-16). For I am already being poured out like a libation, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith. From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me, which the Lord, the just judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but to all who have longed for his appearance (2Tm 4,6-8).

Today, Peter and John run toward the tomb. John runs faster. He comes first, stops, notes, but does not enter. The testimony of the historical truth also needs Peter. This comes. Enters. Sees. Looks at everything and exits without saying any words. John instead professes his faith: “He saw and believed.” Then again they go away together. Jesus must be sought elsewhere. He has risen, but he is not in the tomb. One must look for him elsewhere. This is his will and his desire.

On the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala came to the tomb early in the morning, while it was still dark, and saw the stone removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and to the other disciple whom Jesus loved, and told them, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they put him.” So Peter and the other disciple went out and came to the tomb. They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first; he bent down and saw the burial cloths there, but did not go in. When Simon Peter arrived after him, he went into the tomb and saw the burial cloths there, and the cloth that had covered his head, not with the burial cloths but rolled up in a separate place. Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.

Today, the Apostle John teaches us the great truth of communion in the testimony of the truth of Christ Jesus. Nobody alone makes a perfect testimony to Lord Jesus. The Church is made up of a multitude of people. Each must give the other what he has. He must receive what he lacks from the other. Pope, Bishop, Priest, Deacon, Religious and Lay Faithful bear witness to the true faith in Jesus Christ only if they are in constant communion. Not only descending, from up high downward, but also ascending, from the bottom upwards. It is a divine rule.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints teach us true communion.