John and Joe

Today, we celebrate the Feast of St. John the Evangelist. The Gospel for today’s Mass is the scene from the Gospel according to John where John and Peter arrive at Jesus’ tomb and find the burial clothes folded. My pastor made a very interesting point that I had never heard before in his homily at this morning’s Mass; he attributed the connection of the “swaddling clothes” that Jesus was wrapped in as a newborn (Luke 2:7) with the burial clothes mentioned in today’s Gospel. That got me thinking.

In John’s Gospel, Joseph of Aramathea provided for Jesus his burial clothes (John 19:39-40). Is it possible that Joe provided the swaddling clothes for Jesus at his birth? Is it merely coincidental that both are named Jesus? Granted this is pure speculation, but it’s interesting to consider nonetheless. In both accounts,

Jesus is:

• cared for by His Mother who is assisted by a man named Joseph 
• laid in a cave
• sought to be killed (or remain killed) by Jewish soldiers
• emerges victorious from the cave after an apparent defeat

And the gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh corresponding to Jesus’ role as king, priest and victim on the cross.