2025/11/03
220. Priesthood of the New Covenant
The word "apostle" does not appear in the Gospel of John. This is because the theme of the Gospel of John is the "priesthood of the New Covenant." However, God planned the "priesthood of the New Covenant" to be inseparable from the apostolate (cf. Jn 19:26-27), which makes it difficult for us to draw attention on that theme. Thus, we tend to think that this Gospel simply deals with highly spiritual issues.
Furthermore, the fact that the "priesthood of the New Covenant" is inextricably linked to the Eucharist makes us feel even more challenged by John's Gospel. Therein lies an unknown territory that human information and knowledge, even today, cannot quite keep up with. The lack of clarity about it may cause a particular conflict between the "priesthood of the New Covenant" and the men who receive it, concerning the Eucharist, such as "I am not a Eucharist-making machine" and "I have an apostolate to aspire to."
It seems to me that this is very similar to the conflict that occurs between pregnancy and the woman who accepts it. For example, a particular conflict may arise concerning the child she bears in her body, such as "I am not a child-making machine" or "I have my own life." There may be similarities between these two cases in the various issues that arise there, even though they seem unrelated. The fact that they feel conflicted in this way and that problems arise in these situations is itself proof that each of them is sincerely, if unconsciously, engaged with eternal life and human life. This proof is supported by the sincere response of those around them who are not directly involved in these issues at the moment. I believe that increasing their supporting power also depends ultimately on revealing the truth about the "priesthood of the New Covenant."
The Gospel of Luke tells us that when Jesus instituted the Eucharist, he said, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me" and "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood" (Lk 22:19-20). The "new covenant," said to be "for you," is the “priesthood of the New Covenant”. Jesus commanded, "Do this." This command is addressed to all believers gathered in Jesus' name. The Gospel of John does not depict the scene of the institution of the Eucharist, so that the "priesthood of the New Covenant" described in the Synoptic Gospels can be highlighted.
Observing the opening phrases of the Synoptic Gospels, the Gospel of Matthew begins with Abraham, the Gospel of Mark begins with a quotation from the prophet Isaiah, and the Gospel of Luke takes the form of a report. If we focus only on this distinction, we can imagine, in the Gospel of Matthew, the Father who intends God's plan, in the Gospel of Mark, the Son who fulfills prophecy, and in the Gospel of Luke, the Holy Spirit who leads us to the result (enlightenment). The characteristics of these Gospels are easy to understand, as they seem to point in different directions and yet deal with the same theme of apostolate.
The Gospel of John, on the other hand, begins with the words: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God" (Jn 1:1-2). These words imply that the Father and the Son are one. It is proof that the "priesthood of the New Covenant," which Jesus conferred on the Apostles along with the Eucharist, was in accordance with the will of the Father. The following words, "all things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that was made" (1:3), indicate that at Jesus' last table, as at Creation, the body and blood of Christ were made through the Word.
Many of the disciples who heard the words of Jesus testifying about the bread of life did not understand his words, as it is written, "In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (Jn 1:4-5) (cf. 6:60). Similarly, it is also difficult to understand the "priesthood of the New Covenant." But in the "priesthood of the New Covenant," which is with the Eucharist, made through the Word, is life, and it is the light of men. The light shines in the darkness. At the end of the scene on the bread of life, we read as follows.
"After this many of his disciples drew back and no longer went about with him. Jesus said to the twelve, 'Do you also wish to go away?' Simon Peter answered him, 'Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life; and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.'" (Jn 6:66-69).
Maria K. M.
