Reflection
Our Gospel reading takes place after Jesus has indicated to Peter “by what kind of death he would glorify God.” Peter looks at the “disciple whom Jesus loved” and asks Jesus, “What about him?” And then, Jesus says,
“What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is that of yours? You follow me.”
Jesus’ words may seem a bit harsh, but they indicate a truth that is helpful to us. Jesus calls us to love and care for each other, but we do not need to compare ourselves to others. We need not feel superior or inferior to others. We are indeed connected to each other as brothers and sisters, but we each have a personal relationship with God.
The important thing to remember is that God loves each and everyone of us, so much so that the son of God became incarnate in Jesus Christ, who suffered and died for our sins and rose from the dead to give us the promise of resurrection. This same Jesus ascended into heaven, so that the Holy Spirit would come down upon us to guide us.
Our best response to the love of God in Jesus Christ is to follow Him, as Jesus told Peter to do. And Peter did, to the point of martyrdom.
May we not be concerned about others’ relationship with God or the blessings they may have received. Instead, may we be concerned with following Jesus, so that the Good News continue to be proclaimed.
