Saint John the Apostle (1st century)

Saint John, a fisherman, was one of the first Apostles. Jesus chose him and his brother, James. Jesus “saw two other brothers . . . in their boat with their father Zebedee, getting their nets ready. Jesus called them, and at once they left the boat and their father, and went with him” (Matthew 4:21–22). John witnessed and participated in Jesus’ ministry. He may also have been the "beloved disciple" mentioned in Saint John’s Gospel, but this is unclear. If so, he was also at the foot of the cross with Mary when Jesus told his mother that John would take care of her from then on. “Jesus saw his mother and the disciple he loved standing there; so he said to his mother, ‘He is your son’” (John 19:26). Tradition tells us that John’s teachings about the Good News to the early Church are the source of the Gospel of John. John is called the Evangelist because to evangelize means to “spread the Good News.” An important part of John’s message is Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit. John calls the Spirit an "Advocate," a helper and supporter who “will teach you everything and make you remember all that I have told you” (John 14:26, NRSV). You will notice that John’s Gospel spends more time reflecting on the meaning of Jesus’ words and actions rather than describing them. You may recognize the following Scripture passage: “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not die but have eternal life” (John 3:16). John the Evangelist’s message is that we love God and love one another. (Taken from "The Catholic Connections Handbook for Middleschoolers.")