“What about him/her?” Aren’t we all guilty of looking into other people’s business? Aren’t we prone to envy and comparison when we see others enjoying the things we pray for? Even worse, aren’t we inclined to notice when God deals favorably with people we think live in disobedience to Him?

We often look at others and tend to forget our own blessings, our own mission and ministry, and our own sins. We watch out for other people’s punishments, as if it has become our own version of justice or vindication.

But Jesus reprimanded Peter when he kept asking about the person who will betray Him. It took his mind away from the mission. Jesus reminded him to focus on Him, and no one else. It’s God alone who knows how to deal with His children, because we are His.

This is a reminder for us to focus on God and on the things He entrusted to us. We all have enough on our plate; let’s not add other’s concerns anymore because it takes our heart away from our true purpose. 

Karren Renz P. Seña (karren.sena@gmail.com)

reflect

Realign your focus and follow God alone. That way, you’ll have less time to compare and be jealous, and more time to fulfill His purposes for you.

Lord, create in me a new heart. Redirect my gaze on You, so I may fulfill Your purpose for me here on earth. Amen.

St. Michael the Confessor, pray for us.

Paul was first jailed in Rome and then he was placed under house arrest. These restrictions do not stop him from preaching to his jailors and entertaining visitors from the various communities that he had founded. Paul continued to preach the Gospel until he died. I am sure he continues to intercede for the Church today. Let us pray to have Paul’s relentless spirit as we love God and His will.

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

It seems this Gospel affirms a link to one of the Apostles as its basis—John. How this Gospel, along with all the writings of Scripture, was originally written and compiled is lost to history. Yet, we can trust that the truths necessary for our salvation are all contained in the Scriptures.

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 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.

Read the Bible in one year! Read 1 SAMUEL  9 - 12 today.

During my early years in the seminary, I wanted to impress the seminary fathers so much, I made sure to follow every rule in the formation handbook. I wanted to be a model seminarian. That resulted in me being stiff and regimented and, quite frankly, almost inauthentic.

I could not forget what my spiritual director told me one evening, “Lighten up, Joel. Be yourself. God wants to redeem who you are, and not who you wish to be.” Game changer.

From then on, I stopped comparing myself with others. I stopped proving myself before them; I just aimed at improving. I began being vulnerable, exposing my wounds to the painful but healing balm of God’s grace and the seminary formation. I felt vulnerable and insecure but free. It was when I took on the stance of vulnerability that I felt the grace of God slowly shaping and forming me.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus has just recommissioned Peter with his leadership role. After seeing the Apostle John, who was clearly close to Jesus, Peter, in a moment of insecurity, wanted to know what his role was going to be. Jesus responded by saying: “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow Me.” In effect, Jesus was telling Peter to stop comparing and just be himself.

That’s what envy and insecurity do to us. It distracts us with unimportant human details instead of focusing on our purpose and personal mission. Before God, we need not wear masks. We need not put on pretentions. We are loved in our ugliness. Let us take off our masks, not in an attitude of defiance but in a posture of vulnerability. God cannot save who we pretend to be.

Fr. Joel O. Jason

reflection question

In what area of your life are you wearing the mask of perfection and invincibility? Expose it to the healing light of Jesus’ resurrection

Jesus, thank You for loving me at my worst. Help me now to offer You my best. Amen.

Today, I pray for: _________________________________________