One Size Does Not Fit All
- davidwperk
- Dec 27, 2024
- 7 min read
Devotional Reflection, Wednesday, December 27, 2024
The week of the fourth Sunday of Advent
The Feast of St. John the Evangelist
The Rev. David W. Perkins, Th.D.
Key phrases for reflection from today’s Gospel reading:
13;20Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’ 21After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ 26Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot.
You will find the full text of today’s Gospel at the end of this reflection.
Daily Office Lectionary Readings:
AM: Psalm 97, 98; Proverbs 8:22-30; John 13:20-35
PM: Psalm 145; Isaiah 44:1-8; 1 John 5:1-12
David's Reflections
John's Gospel has had a unique appeal to me since my teen years. I can recall sitting in bed at night, reading John and being fascinated by the image of the Beloved Disciple, who seemed to enjoy a unique relationship with Jesus. This Gospel testifies to its link with the Beloved Disciple. He probably did not write it in its final form, but his testimony lies behind it and he appears to have contributed to its composition. (See John 21:24)
Years later, as a seminarian, John's Gospel continued to fascinate me; my doctoral dissertation focused on an interpretive issue in this Gospel. Today's text presents us with one of those fascinating scenes. All four Gospels report Jesus' announcement of his betrayal, but John's Gospel alone offers the details we find here. The Beloved Disciple is reclining immediately on Jesus' right at the Last Supper, the place of honor adjacent to the host. Peter, sitting farther down the table, motions to John to ask Jesus who the betrayer is. John asks, and Jesus tells him--the next person who receives from me bread dipped in the dish.
The Beloved Disciple may have been John the son of Zebedee. The text does not make this identification, but the church tradition drew that conclusion. This title, Beloved Disciple, was given him by the community that had grown out of his witness to Jesus. (One hardly would describe oneself in this way.) It was that community that preserved John's witness and gave it its final form in this Gospel. And, it was that community that revered John above Peter and the other Apostles. In today’s reading, John sits next to Jesus at the Last Supper and learns who the betrayer is. In the resurrection story, John outruns Peter to the tomb, looks in first, and first comes to resurrection faith.
In the other three Gospels, Peter appears as the leader of the Twelve. That role is not absent from John's account, but alongside Peter we find the Beloved Disciple revered for a different kind of discipleship. He exemplifies discipleship of the more contemplative kind, bearing unique insight, sharing an intimate, almost mystical relationship with Jesus. The biblical witness consistently prizes variety in spirituality. Prophets, priests, and wisdom teachers in Hebrew Scripture all experienced God differently (Jeremiah 18:18). Those spiritual threads can be traced in the Christian scriptures as well. One size does not fit all.
On this Feast Day of John the Evangelist, we can take comfort and encouragement in the possibility of variety. There is no one magic formula for discipleship, no one mold out of which we all get forged. For some following Jesus involves a more active, a more prominent role, like that of Peter. For others, following Jesus involves a more reflective, a more contemplative way, a way less marked by leadership or prominence, like John’s discipleship. Each is valid. We follow a Savior who seems capable of generating myriad expressions of love and devotion in the Christian community.
When we find ourselves disparaging someone for following a different drummer, for expressing their devotion in a fashion that baffles and perplexes, caution and restraint in our reactions would seem wise. We need to remember who the drummer might be. And, when we disparage ourselves because of comparison’s to another’s discipleship, stepping back and reflecting might reveal to us that our relationship to Christ leads us into a different style of discipleship and perhaps a different spirituality equally valid with that of another.
One size does not fit all.
Collect of the Day, The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen. (BCP, 212)
Today we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. For a note about this feast, readings, and prayers, see the web link For information on this feast day, see this web link.
Collect of the Feast of St. John the Evangelist
Shed upon your Church, O Lord, the brightness of your light; that we, being
illumined by the teaching of your apostle and evangelist John, may so walk in the light of your truth, that at length we may attain to the fullness of eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
A Collect for Protection
O God, the life of all who live, the light of the faithful, the strength of those who labor, and the repose of the dead: We thank you for the blessings of the day that is past, and humbly ask for your protection through the coming night. Bring us in safety to the morning hours; through him who died and rose again for us, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen. (BCP, 124)
For the Election of a Bishop or other Minister
Almighty God, giver of every good gift: Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a bishop for this Diocese (or, rector for this parish), that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your
people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP, 818)
In the Order of Worship for Evening
Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our fathers, creator of the changes of day and night, giving rest to the weary, renewing the strength of those who are spent, bestowing upon us occasions of song in the evening. As you have protected us in the day that is past, so be with us in the coming night; keep us from every sin, every evil, and every fear; for you are our light and salvation, and the strength of
our life. To you be glory for endless ages. Amen. (BCP, 113)
A Collect for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen. (BCP, 101)
Daily Office Gospel Reading: John 13:20-35
13;20Very truly, I tell you, whoever receives one whom I send receives me; and whoever receives me receives him who sent me.’ 21After saying this Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ 22The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. 23One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; 24Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. 25So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ 26Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. 27After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ 28Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. 29Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. 30So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night.
31 When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. 32If God has been glorified in him, God
will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once. 33Little children, I am with you only a little longer. You will look for me; and as I said to the
Jews so now I say to you, “Where I am going, you cannot come.” 34I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you,
you also should love one another. 35By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’
Daily Prayer Offices in The Book of Common Prayer
Morning Prayer, Rite 2, page 75, Book of Common Prayer
Noonday Prayer, p. 103, Book of Common Prayer
Order of Worship for Evening (Vespers), p. 109, Book of Common Prayer
Evening Prayer, Rite 2, page 115, Book of Common Prayer
Compline (Night Prayer), Page 127, Book of Common Prayer
Daily Devotionals, page 136, Book of Common Prayer
Comments