The Other Disciple 

In today’s Gospel, John uses the phrase “the other disciple” four times. He tells us that Mary Magdalene ran to Peter and “to the other disciple whom Jesus loved,” that Peter and the other disciple went out and ran to the tomb, though the other disciple ran faster, and then, after Peter entered first, the other disciple also went in. Since many scripture scholars think that John himself is this other disciple, is this just him being modest? Or, is more going on here?

Interestingly, the word “disciple” and the word “discipline” both come from the same root, the Latin word discipulus, meaning “pupil” or “student.” A disciple, then, is one who learns and studies, and to be a disciple is also to be disciplined.

Teachers and coaches know that repetition is essential to learning. Doing a task repeatedly helps us to learn the skills associated with that task, whether it’s reading, playing the piano, or throwing a baseball. Just so in the Gospel. Four times the other disciple is mentioned; four times he acts, and four times he opens himself to new learning. By repeatedly integrating the other disciple into the story, John reminds us of something essential: that as disciples who must repeat behaviors in order to learn, we must repeatedly weave and re-weave our lives into Christ’s. John wove Christ into his life, acted faithfully, and never left him.

Repetition sounds simple enough, but it also requires discipline and patience. Let us resolve to love Jesus as the other disciple did – repeatedly.

–Jim Healy

Send Us Forth are reflections written by St. Matthew parishioners and friends.