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A spiritual comment and prayer to begin the day with Sister Gemma Simmonds from the Congregation of Jesus

In an interview given on March 4th 1966, John Lennon remarked that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. His comment provoked no very immediate response in England but in America it resulted in ‘Burn the Beatles’ protests and radio stations taking their music off the air. Lennon went on to say, ‘Jesus was all right but his disciples were thick and ordinary. It’s them twisting it that ruins it for me.’

Lennon’s comment doesn’t necessarily insult Jesus himself or his Christian followers, but his remark about the disciples bears consideration. He was right that Jesus chose as his disciples men and women who were as ordinary as they come. The Gospels present them as having little understanding either of his teaching or of the significance of his life and death. It wasn’t until after his resurrection that they began to understand the full impact of what Jesus’ coming on earth meant. It was a lifelong process for them to assimilate for themselves God’s overwhelming love for the human race in sending his Son to save us. Lennon accused the disciples of twisting the message of Jesus. But the Gospels and Letters that they left us offer us the possibility of meeting Jesus in our turn and falling in love with him as they did, overpowered by his love for them. When we take up this offer, Jesus need have no fear of being overtaken in the popularity stakes by anyone.

Lord Jesus, you love the world with an overwhelming love. Help us to know you more clearly, love you more dearly and follow you more dearly day by day.

Amen.