“What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” – John 21:22

       In 2013, I was blessed to be invited to talk about St. Peter as a leader. This was in the shrine named after him in Fairview, Quezon City. I shared that, just like him, I am impetuous and I talk fast without sometimes thinking deeply about the issue at hand.

       The verse that I chose shows the scene where Peter asks Jesus what will happen to John, the beloved disciple. The Lord rebukes Peter by practically telling him it was none of his business. Then, Jesus says to him, “Follow Me.”

       In our pilgrim lives, there might be moments that we might be tempted to ask the Lord what His will is for other people. We tend to compare ourselves to others and expect that what the Lord demands of us is what He’d ask from others, too.

       But often, God is not like that. He calls us individually, asking one to serve Him in this way, and asking another to serve in that. It is prudent that we just obey what He tells us to do and not interfere in the purposes He has for others. Grace Princesa (grprincesa @yahoo.com)

Reflection: Are we interfering or obeying?

Lord, may I always listen to Your still, small voice and not the noise of the world.

St. Felix of Cantalice, pray for us.

Paul proclaimed the Gospel for two years while under house arrest in Rome. He continued to meet with visitors and evangelize his guards. Traditionally, we believe that he was beheaded and his head bounced on the ground three times. And each time, a fountain of water flowed forth. It is now known as the Tre Fontane or Three Fountains.

16 When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him. 17 Three days later he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. 18 After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty. 19 But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation. 20 This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.” [29] 29 30 He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, 31 and with complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

R: The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.

4 The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. His eyes behold, his searching glance is on mankind. (R) 5 The Lord searches the just and the wicked; the lover of violence he hates. 7 For the Lord is just, he loves just deeds; the upright shall see his face. (R)

Jesus determines the path we will travel as we follow Him. We must discern and surrender to His will, aided by the grace of the Holy Spirit. As we grow in discipleship, let us remember to thank God for calling us to follow Him, no matter how difficult life may be.

I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord; he will guide you to all truth.

20 Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” 23 So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?” 24 It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 There are also many other things that Jesus did, but if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written.

think: As we grow in discipleship, let us remember to thank God for calling us to follow Him, no matter how difficult life may be.

READ THE BIBLE IN ONE YEAR 1 Samuel 21-24

WHAT ABOUT HIM?

I remember how, in the novitiate, where everyone is fresh and starting out in the religious life, there seems to be some competition between confreres. Each goes out of his way to please the Superior, taking the “holier than thou” approach. It is probably not intentional but it is there. One spends more time in the chapel; another is busily engaging in charity works; another seems so competent in living the newfound life as a religious. Yet one thing that strikes me is the atmosphere of comparison. I wonder if Peter had this in mind when he asked Jesus: “What about him?”

       The question of Peter is directed to the beloved disciple who happens to appear in the scene of the Gospel. He is the “ideal disciple,” following the Lord and loving Him. We often see him linked with Peter in various Gospel stories. It was this disciple who ran with Peter to check out the strange sight of the empty tomb. Often we look at others and begin to judge: What about him or her? Look at their life! They seem so holy! They seem so perfect! They never sin! We compare.

       Jesus’ response to Peter is the same for us: Follow Me! In other words, Jesus is telling us: Do not worry about others’ progress in following Me.

       Your call is to follow Jesus. Beware of comparison. Each of us is called to be a disciple of Jesus in whatever situation we are in. As long as we all follow the Lord in the best way we can, what does it matter?

       Are you a person who often compares yourself with others? Usually this is a sign of insecurity. We need to believe that Jesus has called us as His own and each one is unique and individual in our response to the Lord. How boring it would be if we were all the same — robots following the Lord. The decision to follow the Lord should be made in freedom and love. Fr. Brian Steele, MGL

REFLECTION QUESTIONS: Are you a disciple of Jesus? Or are you one who follows the crowd?

Lord, I thank You for calling me to be Your disciple. Give me the grace to follow You. Amen.