St John is called "the disciple whom Jesus loved". John certainly experienced in a particular way the reality of God's love in Jesus. What else does "beloved disciple" imply?

Each New Testament writer tells us something special about Jesus. What John has to say, in both his Gospel and First Letter about Jesus as "The Word of Life," also tells us something about John, something about what it means to be a beloved disciple.

The Word is the source of life, and this life brings true light to humankind. The light brought by the Word of Life is none other than Jesus himself. To be a beloved disciple means to be dedicated to the Word who is the source of life and light.

Jesus is the Word made flesh. Through him, we have learned about eternal life. Through Jesus risen from the dead, we enjoy the fullness of life. This gift of eternal life through Jesus, the Word, makes him the Way, the Truth and the Life for us.