Once again, today’s gospel offers us a moment of intimacy between Jesus and one of his disciples. This time, it is with the disciple “whom Jesus loved,” John, who reclines on the master’s chest. As in yesterday’s gospel, it is a sensory experience. He feels, he sees, he smells, and hears Jesus. More than the words coming from his mouth, John has the privilege of hearing the beating of Jesus’ heart.
It is a heart that beats with the fullness of life, the fullness of love. And at this moment it is a heart that is “deeply troubled” at the prospect of betrayal, denial, abandonment and death. A heart that would be pierced and wounded out of love for us all, a heart that understands our wounds and our troubles, a heart that longs to have a heart to heart relationship with his companions.