Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
In family life, misunderstandings are common place.
Statements like: “You meant that I had to bring ALL of my laundry to the laundry room AND sort it?!” and “But you said we ALL had to clean up, and I’ve already picked up the most!” are phrases I’m confident are not exclusive to my home.
Even Jesus was (often!) misunderstood. In today’s Gospel from John, we read:
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?" (Jn 21:21-23).
I’m so struck by the line, “But Jesus had not told him that he would not die, just…” I imagine Jesus responding like a (mostly) patient parent. “What if I will something different than what you expect? I’m allowed to do that. Worry about yourself and your actions, not those of your siblings.”
How often do I think I’ve heard one thing, but in reality, my perception doesn’t match the actual words that were uttered? How often do I half listen, my brain quickly filling in what it anticipates? How quickly do I respond at a perceived injustice when the words that were uttered don’t actually match my perception?
As you go about your life today, listen carefully. Seek to understand, as well as to be understood.
- Meghan Naveau