Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 21, 20-25
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.
The testimony is true
1) Jealousy. That’s something that always appears in the Church. It’s not the same to have apostolic zeal than to be a jealous apostle. Jealousy can lead us to forget that we are servers and missionaries of God. Many times, we make others suffer because we believe or we fear that someone might surpass us! This is not what serving others is all about, it is being selfless in the work we do for God.
2) Gossip. This situation arose even among the apostles, leading them to the wrong type of communication and ending in misunderstandings – some even believed that John would not die. A simple comment can become an avalanche of rumors. It’s important to remember to bite your tongue and be prudent in how you speak, what you say and how you treat others. There are moments in life when it’s preferable to be quiet rather than to speak. We all know people who are gossipy and spread rumors everywhere. Please hold your tongue and don’t spread rumors.
3) Testimony. Today Jesus reminds you that the relationship you must have with Him should be personal and intimate. Finding God and building up a relationship with Him makes you a thankful and cheerful witness who gives testimony in a close, simple, joyful, and truthful way.
Remember that something good is on the way! God bless you and be with you in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
