Faith in Christ unites us far better than does fidelity to traditions of the past or solidarity with co-religionists. Christ's people are persons who have begun with Jesus an adventure of mutual trust and love. "I know them and they know me." Jesus unites people by attracting them to himself, by letting them experience who he is! All who are attracted by him, recognise his voice, and believe his word belong to him. The early converts in Antioch rejoiced in their new-found relationship with Christ and were proud of their Christian identity.

We too are asked to take our faith seriously, realize our unique call to be the "beloved disciple." When John wrote the Gospel, he left his readers free to believe; he merely testifies to his understanding of Christ! His characters, as well as being historical figures are also examples, models, types of different attitudes towards God's revelation. In contemplating them, I am expected to measure, judge myself by them. The real drama is where I am involved, confronted with God's Word in my daily life. The Jews are personifications of the rejection of God's Word. Am I a Jew in this sense? or a Judas or even a 'recalcitrant Peter?