James the son of Zebedee, and John the brother of James, whom He surnamed Boanerges, which is, Sons of Thunder.” ~ Mark 3:17.
December 27th is the feast of St. John the Apostle. He is referred throughout the Gospel as the “Beloved Disciple” or “One Whom Jesus Loved.” Christ calls John His brother when He gives Mary to him as a mother. But the name Son of Thunder is listed in the Gospel of Mark. It is only in this Gospel, written by a close companion of St. Peter, that John is given this title.
Son of Thunder:
Why is it significant John is called Son of Thunder in this one Gospel? It’s because Peter clearly inspired most of Mark’s writings. The Gospel is largely told from Peter’s perspective. As he looks back on his time with Christ, he remembers John by the name Jesus gave him: thunder.
Most of us think of John as the Beloved Disciple, his most popular title. We remember him as the one Jesus loved, who stayed at His side during crucifixion. But Peter knew him not as a gentle friend, but as a young man filled with thunder. John was not a simple companion, but a warrior for his King.
How are we perceived?
If a story was written about us from our best friend’s perspective, what would our title be? How would we be remembered? It’s said that we are the sum of our five closest friends. My parents instilled that lesson in me, and I found it to be very true in every stage of life. When we are children, we become more or less emotionally adjusted depending on the children we spend time with. As teenagers, we grow closer or farther from our families because of our friendships. Now that we’re adults, we become better or worse people, influenced by our friendships.
Are we beloved companions to those who love us? Or are we drains to others trying to pursue goodness in their lives? Are we thunderous for the Lord? Or are we quiet sprinkles of rain trying not to be noticed?
We only have one life, and we never know how long it will be. John did not tell himself on the seashore, “I have time to follow the Messiah later.” He left his life and followed Christ. John stayed by His side through miracles, persecution, and eventually death. He approached his work with the Lord as a cloud of thunder, booming in the sky. Where everyone else wavered and abandoned Jesus to His death, John was there. John was with Him, and then he returned to the eleven who were left. We don’t know what John said to Peter after the crucifixion, but we know Peter continued on. All we know for certain is John did not abandon his friends. Every one of them came back to Christ. May we all be remembered by our friends as Thunder.
