John reclines next to Jesus at the Last Supper. Jn 13:25 says, “…leaning back close to Jesus’ chest…”, and reaffirms it in Jn 21:20 with, “the disciple Jesus loved… leant back close to his chest”.

It seems incidental; a nice detail, but easily glossed over. Placing one’s head on another’s chest has many implications. It is not only an act of affection, it also requires a boldness and confidence within a relationship, but the fact is that a heartbeat is only heard by placing an ear to the chest. John has a special relationship with Jesus not because John himself is “special” or favoured, certainly not any more than the other disciples, or than any of us for that matter. The specialness of that relationship is open to all of us, in fact, we are invited into it.