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Embraced by the same aura of mystery and situated in the lower part of the icon
are the two figures of the Apostle Paul and the Beloved Disciple. Both
remind the praying community of the two fundamental and inseparable
attitudes of Christian discipleship which are "mysticism" and "service." (cf
Jn 12:1-11; Lk
10:25-42; Rom 12:1-21). The two figures are placed in the same plane with
the intention of revealing in a reciprocal way the faces of absolute love
for Christ and for his Lordship in history (cf Mt 5:1-11).
The Apostle Paul, while pointing towards Jesus Master, is actually turned
towards the assembly. Saul, transformed in the road of Damascus through
the impetuous encounter with the Risen Jesus (cf Gal 1:11-24; Acts
9:1-19), has no other aim now but to let Jesus be known and proclaim him
to all (cf Rom 1,1-6). After having fought the good fight and finished his
course, Paul, through his martyrdom accepts to shed his own blood in
libation (cf 2Tim 4:6-8) since no one and nothing could ever separate him
from the love of Christ.
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At the right side of the icon is the Beloved
Disciple. This disciple whom Jesus loved is unnamed in order to give every
Christian a chance to substitute his/her own name.
This disciple knew from experience the depth and demands of Christ's love, culminating on the night of the Paschal Supper (Jn 13:23-26) when he was given the chance to draw close at
Jesus' breast who. It was always the same love which helped him
stand by the foot of the cross and receive the Mother of Jesus (cf Jn:
19:25-27) during that great moment of offering.
On the morning of the Resurrection, he was the first to arrive in the tomb
where he "saw and believed" (Jn 20:1-10); likewise in that morning by the
lake of Galilee (Jn 21:1-25) when the Risen Lord appeared to the disciples
after a long night of unfruitful toil. Every community celebrating its own
faith must mirror and identify herself with the same love freely received
and freely given.
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