--- title: A Prideful Disciple? description: "Could one of Christ's disciples be conceited? Mary Lou Rosien explores why John refers to himself as \"the disciple Jesus loved\" and how it applies to us." --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2017/08/04/a-prideful-disciple#) # A Prideful Disciple? Aug 4, 2017 7:00:09 AM  |  by [Mary Lou Rosien](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/mary-lou-rosien) [!["A Prideful Disciple?" by Mary Lou Rosien (CatholicMom.com)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/prideful-disciple.jpg?width=800&height=600&name=prideful-disciple.jpg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/prideful-disciple.jpg) Via [Freeimages.com](http://www.freeimages.com/photo/heart-of-stone-1316008) (2006), CC0 Several times in his Gospel, John refers to himself (presumably) as *"the disciple whom Jesus loved."* (John 13:21-30,18:15-18, 19:26-27, 21:7 and 21:20) This begs the question of the average reader: was St. John conceited, or what? My own belief is that there is a hidden message within these words. I have struggled with self worth for much of my life. After a series of devastating losses, I began to doubt that anyone (even God) could find a need for me. The idea that a saint could refer to himself in such a brazen way was completely foreign and incomprehensible to me. [tweet "Was 'the disciple whom Jesus loved' bragging to use that name? -@cathfambootcamp"] However, when you read through each of these passages, it is striking to hear the joyful and trusting voice of the disciple in the Gospel. He even rests his head on Jesus' chest in what could be described as childlike innocence. The first three references of "the disciple whom Jesus loved," take place between the last supper and the crucifixion, perhaps John was trying to address the fact that he stayed with the Christ when the other apostles had fled in fear. Then it occurred to me . . . John is not bragging; he is simply stating a fact! He is not placing Christ's love for him above anyone else's relationship with the Lord; he is recognizing his own worth. The title speaks more of the love Christ has for John than the apostle himself. The message for us is to recognize that *we too are disciples whom Jesus loves*. We can own that fact. It is not conceit to do so; it is confidence in Christ's love for us. *Copyright 2017 Mary Lou Rosien* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F08%2F04%2Fa-prideful-disciple%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F08%2F04%2Fa-prideful-disciple%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F08%2F04%2Fa-prideful-disciple%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=A%20Prideful%20Disciple%3F) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F08%2F04%2Fa-prideful-disciple%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2017%2F08%2F04%2Fa-prideful-disciple%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Mary Lou Rosien](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contributors/MARY%20LOU%20ROSIEN.png) ### [Mary Lou Rosien](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/mary-lou-rosien) Mary Lou Rosien is a Catholic wife, mom to seven, educator, writer, and speaker. She is the author of several books including *[Three Things Divorced Catholics need to Know](https://osv.com/Shop/Product?ProductCode=T1860)* and *The Joy-Filled Broken Heart*. She is known for her love of all things cooking and baking, especially “Friday cookies.” Visit her at [CatholicFamilyBootCamp.com](http://www.catholicfamilybootcamp.com). ## Related Blog Articles [ Rumpled Kleenex Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2016/06/03/rumpled-kleenex) [ Holy Friendships Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/holy-friendships) [ Mary Book Spotlight: Mary and the Christian Life: Scriptural Reflections on the First Disciple, by Amy Welborn Reviewed by Sarah Reinhard Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2010/05/07/mary-book-spotlight-mary-and-the-christian-life-scriptural-reflections-on-the-first-disciple-by-amy-welborn-reviewed-by-sarah-reinhard) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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