When John grew old, he told the story of Jesus. His message, again and again: “Little children, love one another.”
John lived a long, full life. He had followed Jesus from when he was just a boy, and he never stopped loving Him. After Jesus returned to Heaven, John kept sharing His message. He travelled, taught, prayed, and wrote. He cared for Mary, Jesus’ mother, until the end of her life.
Years later, when John was older, he wrote down what he remembered. His book is called a Gospel — which means “good news.” Because John had good news to share: about love, and light, and Jesus. “In the beginning was the Word,” he wrote. “And the Word was with God… and the Word was God.”
John talked a lot about love. “God is love,” he wrote. “Let us love one another.” And people listened, because they knew — John wasn’t just talking. He had lived it.
One story says that when John was very old, he was carried into church in a chair. He couldn’t preach for long, but he always said the same words: “Little children, love one another.” And when someone asked him why he said it every time, he answered: “Because if you do that — it is enough.”
John was the last of the apostles to die. He died in peace, knowing that his story had been told, and that love would carry on.
Thought for the heart. Good news doesn’t have to be loud. It just has to be full of love.
A child’s prayer. Dear Saint John, thank you for writing the story of Jesus. Help me to be gentle, kind, and full of love. When I grow old, let love still live in my heart. Amen.
Journey with Mary, Path to Jesus 