I attended two separate funerals in one day: Tito Boni and Andrea. Tito Boni, 82, had a full life evidenced by the medals, trophies, and plaques on his walls. In mourning were his beautiful family and well, educated children.

In contrast, the entire clan had been waiting for Andrea to be born. She was bubbly when she was roomed in. But she stopped sucking her milk in the afternoon. She turned blue. Her deterioration was drastic. In two days, she was gone. Her first family photo was her last. 

Jesus could be telling Peter, “So what if John’s life is longer than yours?” Because 82 years is not better than two days. The real purpose of life is fulfilled not in its duration, but in its donation. Both Tito Boni and Andrea lived their purpose. Not in length, but in love. Andrea gave so much joy to her parents. She fulfilled their dreams. Her grandfather shared, “It was my highest joy to be a granddad, even for just two days.” She made the lives around her genuinely happy. 

Live life beautiful starting today. 

Jon Escoto (jonmaris@yahoo.com)

reflect

Is there something you can do to make someone’s life genuinely happy today?

Jesus, make my life beautiful starting today. Amen

Saint Willibald, bishop and missionary, pray for us.

Paul had two years more of house arrest and more opportunities to proclaim the Gospel. Do you think Paul was ever tempted to escape? Perhaps he decided it was better to be under house arrest where his visitors could visit him, rather than to risk death by escaping and going into hiding. At least he had certain freedoms while under house arrest.

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.” 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.  

Responsorial Psalm | Psalm 11:4, 5, 7

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)

Gospel | John 21:20-25

We need to be more concerned about our salvation and what Jesus is asking us to do for Him. Let us not waste our energy worrying about the salvation of others. We should help others in their faith journey, however, let us ensure that we prioritize our own journey before spending time on the journey of others. Jesus’ call to discipleship is a 24/7 commitment. Let us pray for the grace to be faithful to our call.

Gospel Acclamation

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 thathe 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.

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 KINGS 9 - 11 today.

There were only three of them in the scene: Jesus, Peter, and John. The two disciples had often been connected in some way with each other. They saw the major events of the Lord’s life together, including the transfiguration and the crucifixion. John was, in fact, at the foot of the cross, together with Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Peter was, in all apperances, manifesting his own rather hardheaded and impetuous ways. He asked the most difficult question that referred to the beloved disciple, the motive for which would be even more difficult to ascertain, much less guess. The Lord’s response was quick and cutting: “What concern is it of yours?” But it was followed up by a curt command: “You follow Me.” 

Like Peter, we often love to second-guess others. We make a decision to do something good and, no sooner had we decided, we make serious reconsiderations and weigh things over repeatedly, and then change our minds. We decide to embark on doing something good and then we talk ourselves out of doing it. What if the person is not telling the truth? What if the fellow who begs for help is really out there to take advantage of my generosity?

Peter was not just impetuous; he was also calculating, even scheming. This is the same Peter who, after declaring he would follow the Lord no matter what, denied the Lord three times. Yesterday, we heard how he redeemed himself by saying, “I love You, Lord.” Like me and you, Peter was waxing and waning, coming and going, sinning and repenting, repeatedly.

John, in contrast, was portrayed as someone who kept close to the Lord, both in bonds of human, natural affection and willful, loyal dedication as a disciple. I need to tell my readers that I am more of a Peter than a John, at least in the former’s obtuseness and seeming hardheadedness. That abominable character in Shusaku Endo’s novel, who apostatized and confessed over and over again, is more like my story. I am worthy of the same rebuke: “You follow Me.” 

Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB

reflection question

Like Peter, do you tend to say something and do otherwise? 

Grant me a steadfast faith that I may always be true to my promises to You, Lord. Amen.

Today, I pray for: ________________________________________