John 21:20-25

Lectio (Reading)

Read the passage twice and get a sense of what it is saying. Pay attention to what strikes you.

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?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
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?”

It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
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.

Meditatio (Reflecting)

Slowly read the passage again, pausing on words or phrases that stands out. Take time to consider the meaning. particularly in your life.

What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.

Oratio (Responding)

Read the passage again, slowly. Consider how God has spoken to you and respond back to Him. You may want to consider how this passage is asking you to act differently.

This is the very last passage of the gospel of John. The other gospels end with Jesus ascending into heaven, but this gospel is different. And while those other gospels tell us what we are to do after Jesus ascends into heaven (aka. the Great Commission), this gospel tells us how to think and what to focus on, regarding our relationship with Him (aka follow Him).

To better understand, I think we need to recall the lines preceeding this passage. Jesus meets Peter and the disciples on the shore after He is ressurected, and He asks Peter 3 times if he loves Him, in order to reconcile Peter’s three fold denial. Then in the line directly before this reading Jesus tells Peter that he will die in a way that glorifies god, specifically by crucifixion. And then in today’s reading Peter asks Jesus what about John, is he going to betray you, or will he be martyred as well? And Jesus’ response is so important, He says what concern is it to you, instead follow me.

That is the message of todays reading, this is how we should think with regard to our relationship with Him, don’t worry about others, but instead focus on following Him in all things. We humans always worry about everyone else, and never focus on what is required of us, it is like a mental disorder. We need to just Follow Him. That is our calling and it is what should be our greatest concern. Jesus has a relationship with each of us, and He is working in each of our hearts, and that relationship is unique to each of us. We always think that we have something to say about God’s relationship with others but we rarely concern ourselves with our relationship with Him.

I suppose it is willfull blindness, but it really needs to change. If we all just focused on following him, staying in his grace and avoiding the evil ones temptations, then I think everything else would work itself out. I guess this is what heaven will be like, a place where we all love each other selflessly, and are able to be loved to the extent that others see fit to love us. I cant wait to see it, but I will work on it here and now, until it is my time.

Contemplatio (Contemplating)

Take time to simply remain in the presence of God.

Resolutio (Resolving)

Make a resolution that will improve your life, your relationships, or your faith. Make it small and attainable, and do it.

Oh lord, help me today to think of others faults less, and instead focus on what I need to do to improve my relationship with you, Amen.