Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Our selection today from John the Evangelist, the Beloved Disciple, forms the conclusion of the Fourth Gospel. We find an interesting encounter between Peter, Jesus, and John. It speaks not only to a specific aspect of human nature, but also to our need for maintain our focus on Jesus as we follow Him in our daily lives. Today, let us seek to be faithful disciples of Jesus, gazing upon him in love, and following in his footsteps.
“Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved [John]. . .” Peter turned from his profound and poignantly personal exchange with Jesus, in which his threefold denial of Christ was undone by his threefold profession of love. In his infinite mercy, Jesus restored the relationship between them and delegated to Peter the honor and responsibility of serving as the shepherd of the sheep, the first Pope. At the end of that encounter, Jesus summons Peter, “Follow me.”
Interestingly, Peter’s next words, when he turned to see John approaching, were, “Lord, what about him?” We can only surmise his motivation, but the Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture observes that every time Peter and the Beloved Disciple appeared together in the Gospel, John had a special privilege or insight that Peter did not have at first. Perhaps Peter is wondering (or worried) about John’s “rank” in the Church, in the final weeks of its gestational period.
But that query, “Lord, what about him?” speaks to our human nature and challenges each of us to consider any unhealthy preoccupation we may have with others. How often do we each compare ourselves to others in a condescending, prideful critical, or judgmental fashion? Or conversely, do we at times feel insecure or inferior to others, particularly within the Body of Christ? Maybe we feel competitive toward others in the workplace, Church, school, or social groups, and are inordinately distracted by seeking to get ahead. Lord, what about him/her? Why do they act like that? If they would just (fill in the blank) then they wouldn’t be such a problem. Why do you let them get away with their bad behavior? Why did she get that position and I didn’t? Lord, what about him/her? You and I might pause for a moment and consider our own version of “what about him?” that distracts us as we consider other people and their behavior, state in life, place in the Church, etc. When you’ve voiced, “Lord, what about him?” are you able to identify the motivation behind your challenge?
Jesus speaks to us, as he said to Peter, “What concern is it of yours?” As the fully human Son of God, Jesus understands psychology as well as all the other aspects of the human person. As social creatures living in community, we naturally wonder about each other, compare ourselves to each other, and at times overly obsess with other people’s state or business. With empathic understanding, Jesus redirects Peter and us, with his command, “You follow me.” In his words, I hear our Lord saying, don’t worry about other people, You (beloved of the Father) follow me. This is a classic version of “mind your own business,” but with Kingdom implications! If I’m distracted by what other people are doing or not doing, then I’ve taken my eyes off Jesus. Jesus’ invitation to follow him connotes a singularity of purpose. As we keep our eyes on Him as we go about each day, we keep our concupiscence at bay and will be more fruitful in our Christian witness. Let’s be busy minding our own business in living out our particular calling from the Lord with courage and zeal!
Today, let us consider also the wisdom from the letter to the Hebrews, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith . . .” (Heb. 12:1-2a, emphasis added). And as St Benedict famously wrote in his Rule, “prefer nothing whatever to Christ.” Lord Jesus, please help us, by your grace, to maintain this singular focus as we go about this day, loving you above all else, and gratefully answering your call to follow you.
I’ll see you in the Eucharist,
Elizabeth Wells