I've Got Your Back

Recently, we celebrated the feastday of St. John the Theologian, who we believe wrote the Apocalypse, or Revelation. Buried alive, in a grave that was shaped into a cross, his face was covered with a cloth. Later, it is said, that when his body was dug up, he failed to be in it. "The grave was opened and he was not there." So relates this story on YouTube, by Sister Vassa, who while enjoying her cup of coffee, shares much about Evangelist St. John the Theologian, on Ep. 4 week of Sept .26th, in a 10 minute discussion.

The web blog of John Sanidopoulos, called Mystagogy, relayed the Expresso News, of Oct. 7, 2014, where Eva Papadatos shared the following: On Tuesday, 30Sept. at around 5:30A.M. a Pakistani who is Muslim in his religion, named Ali, saw an old man around 75-80 years in age." This man, when asked by him, identified himself as the Theologian. The place was called Kardamania. The Muslim confirmed that he resembled the old man depicted in the icon. Was this in fact, St. John, known as the Theologian?

Sister Vassa, indicated that he was not in his grave, and continued to say that in John 21:21-22, Peter and Jesus were having a discussion about the death of Peter. Concerning John, Jesus said to him, "If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me." The study notes below the verse regarding John, say that "Early Christians marveled at his longevity, and some thought he would not die before the return of Christ.

It is clear that what Jesus has in store for each and everyone of us is personal. We all have our own story to tell, our own journey. We are not to live, as Sister Vassa correctly says, a "comparative life."

Would it  be the first time that a saint has appeared in our time? I've heard other similar stories. St. John was present with Peter and James, when Jesus was speaking to Moses and Elijah at the Transfiguration. Simply put, with God all things are possible.

Tonight in Deuteronomy 10:14-21 we learn: "Indeed heaven and the highest heavens belong to the Lord your God, also the earth with all that is in it."

Yes it said, "your God".  He has your back, mind your business it's not about everyone else but you and what is required of you-- is to "follow Him."

The verse continues...."You shall fear the Lord your God; you shall serve Him, and to Him you shall hold fast, and take oaths in His name. He is your praise, and He is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things which your eyes have seen."

In the end, you are accountable to Him, and to Him alone.

All scriptural references have been taken from the Orthodox Study Bible.