On seeing him, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord,On seeing him, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord,what about him?”
Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I come, is that any concern of yours? Follow me!” Because of
this, the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die.
Yet Jesus did not say to Peter, “He will not Yet Jesus did not say to Peter, “He will not die,” but, “Suppose I
want him to remain until I come back, what concern is that of yours?” It is this disciple who testifies about the
things and has written these things down, and we know that his testimony is true.
But Jesus did many other things; if all were written down, I But Jesus did many other things; if all were written
down, I think the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.
Reflection
Old habits die hard! The Old habits die hard! The simmering competitiveness that the disciples had suffered from
still refuses to die out in Peter. And with good reason! After all, here is John known to be the “favourite” of the Master,
even if there is no truthin such perception. (“Daddy/Mommy always loved you more than me”—isn’t this one of the
perennial complaints among siblings even into their adult days?) We all have a natural andoften excessive curiosity
to know what destiny awaits the other,and a secret wish that it be nobetter than ours! As we climb up the ladder, we
often look backover the shoulders, not alwaysto help out the one behind, butto ensure that he/she does no tovertake us!
Jesus nips Peter’sundue curiosity in the bud by anequivalent of “leave it to me; It’snone of your business.”
Our callis to follow the Lord, period. Too much of lateral gaze can drownus, as it once happened to Peteron the waters.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2022
June 04, 2022
Gospel: John 21:20-25
Peter looked back and saw that the disciple Peter looked back and saw that the disciple
Jesus loved was following as well, the one who had reclined close to Jesus at the supper,
and had asked him, “Lord, who is to betray you?”
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Daily Gospel