- John 21:20-25
- The Beloved Disciple
OTHER HOMILY SOURCES from Kerygma
2015 OBEDIENCE AND NON-INTERFERENCE – “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” – John 21:22
In 2013, I was blessed to be invited to talk about St. Peter as a leader. This was in the shrine named after him in Fairview, Quezon City. I shared that, just like him, I am impetuous and I talk fast without sometimes thinking deeply about the issue at hand.
The verse that I chose shows the scene where Peter asks Jesus what will happen to John, the beloved disciple. The Lord rebukes Peter by practically telling him it was none of his business. Then, Jesus says to him, “Follow Me.”
In our pilgrim lives, there might be moments that we might be tempted to ask the Lord what His will is for other people. We tend to compare ourselves to others and expect that what the Lord demands of us is what He’d ask from others, too.
But often, God is not like that. He calls us individually, asking one to serve Him in this way, and asking another to serve in that. It is prudent that we just obey what He tells us to do and not interfere in the purposes He has for others. Grace Princesa (grprincesa @yahoo.com)
Reflection: Are we interfering or obeying?
Lord, may I always listen to Your still, small voice and not the noise of the world.
Source: kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2015-05-23
2018 HE ASSURES YOU OF HIS LOVE Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. — John 21:20
I grew up believing that my parents were very strict. Papa gets mad at the smallest inconvenience. He doesn’t talk much and holds back his emotions most of the time. Mama is the megaphone of the family. She monitors my ins and outs, and is like a human bundy clock. I grew up having resentments because of their quirks.
One day, I told Papa I had to go to Tagaytay. He asked me what time we were leaving. This surprised me because it meant he was coming with me and would drive me to Tagaytay.
Another time, I came home late and found that Mama prepared something for me to eat. These little acts of love assured me that in spite of their strictness, they care for and love me.
Jesus was betrayed by His disciples when the Jews crucified Him on the cross. But when He rose again, Jesus assured them that He still loves them. He still loves me. And He loves you, too — no matter what! Jan Carlo Silan (jcsilan@gmail.com)
Reflect: Do you believe that God loves you? Will you receive that love?
Lord, thank You for Your love. We open ourselves to Your perfect love. Amen.
Source: kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2018-05-19
2018 JUST FOLLOW ME
There were only three of them in the scene: Jesus, Peter, and John. The two disciples had often been connected in some way with each other. They saw the major events of the Lord’s life together, including the transfiguration and the crucifixion. John was, in fact, at the foot of the cross, together with Mary, the mother of Jesus.
Peter was, in all appearances, manifesting his own rather hard-headed and impetuous ways. He asked the most difficult question that referred to the beloved disciple, the motive for which would be even more difficult to ascertain, much less guess. The Lord’s response was quick and cutting: “What concern is it of yours?” But it was followed up by a curt command: “You follow Me.”
Like Peter, we often love to second-guess others. We make a decision to do something good and, no sooner had we decided, we make serious reconsiderations and weigh things over repeatedly, and then change our minds. We decide to embark on doing something good and then we talk ourselves out of doing it. What if the person is not telling the truth? What if the fellow who begs for help is really out there to take advantage of my generosity?
Peter was not just impetuous; he was also calculating, even scheming. This is the same Peter who, after declaring he would follow the Lord no matter what, denied the Lord three times. Yesterday, we heard how he redeemed himself by saying, “I love You, Lord.” Like me and you, Peter was waxing and waning, coming and going, sinning and repenting, repeatedly.
John, in contrast, was portrayed as someone who kept close to the Lord, both in bonds of human, natural affection and willful, loyal dedication as a disciple. I need to tell my readers that I am more of a Peter than a John, at least in the former’s obtuseness and seeming hard-headedness. That abominable character in Shusaku Endo’s novel, who apostatized and confessed over and over again, is more like my story. I am worthy of the same rebuke: “You follow Me.” Fr. Chito Dimaranan, SDB
——- REFLECTION QUESTION ——- Like Peter, do you tend to say something and do otherwise?
Grant me a steadfast faith that I may always be true to my promises to You, Lord. Amen.
Source: kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2018-05-19
2020 VINDICATOR Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” – John 21:22
I was hurt and wanted God to fight my battles for me. During worship in an event, I offered my feelings to Him, wanting Him to defend me. I remembered how God vindicated His people in the Old Testament and wanted Him to do the same for me. Then I heard Him speak in my heart, “I am your Vindicator.” Oh, the relief, the expectancy of blessings for the one who got hurt! But God’s message didn’t stop there. He continued, “I am your Vindicator—and also their Vindicator.”
And the battle was over.
We think that God will bless us and punish those who hurt us. But He operates in a different way. He has one goal: to make all of us His. He will bless you, and bless your enemies too. You will feel His love and thank Him, and they will too.
So don’t be surprised if you see all of us in heaven. It was His master plan to save us all. He showed us how to love, so that we can love like Him. In the end, there will be no enemies— only families. Dreus Cosio (andreus.cosio@gmail.com)
Reflect: Can you give the same warm greetings you are giving your loved ones to people who are not close to you? Love one person at a time. Start with the one within your reach.
Dear Lord, thank You for showing me the way. Thank You for blessing even those who hurt me. I am assured that when I cause hurt, You will not turn Your back on me and keep blessing me anyway.
kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2020-05-30
2020 EMBRACING LIFE’S MYSTERIES Our Gospel story is the conclusion of St. John’s account on the life of Jesus. It highlights two mysteries. As we read about Jesus telling Peter and John of their respective and different ways of dying, we first realize the mystery of our individual lives. We are unique and so are our life experiences and patterns. The important thing is for each of us to remain faithful to the calling that we have. We should always pray: “Lord, I’ve got my plans, and I ask You to bless them. But above all, may Your will be accomplished in me.”
Towards the end of our Gospel, we encounter John’s summary statement about the richness of the life of Jesus and the mystery that is Jesus. Should all be written and documented about Jesus’ life and teachings, John sustains that the libraries of the world will not be able to contain all.
In spite of scientific advances and discoveries, we will indeed continue to encounter mysteries of our world. For this world will forever bear the imprint of God who created it. There are mysteries that will involve our lives; there are mysteries regarding our faith.
On this the last day of novena for Pentecost, let us ask God to send us His Spirit to always guide us along the path of divine wisdom and understanding. Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP
———- REFLECTION QUESTIONS ———- What aspects of your life baffle you at this time? What mysteries are you grappling with now? Invoke the Holy Spirit.
Holy Spirit, enlighten my mind that I may understand life’s mysteries at Your appointed time. Amen.kerygmafamily.com/modules/dailyreadings/read.php?date=2020-05-30
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