(John 21:20-25)
Prayer: O Jesus, draw me to your heart.
Imagination: (Picture Jesus speaking with Peter).
Context:
This is the final story in John’s gospel and defines the relationship between Peter and the Beloved Disciple. The Church needs authority (Peter) and faithful disciples (John). Both will remain until the end of time.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud)
At the Sea of Galilee, Peter turned around and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. This was the disciple who laid his head on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is the one who will betray you?” Peter, seeing this disciple, asked Jesus, “What will this man do?” Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You are to follow me.”
The rumor went about that this disciple would not die, but Jesus did not say he would not die. He only said, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?” This is the disciple who has given testimony and has written these things. We know that his testimony is true. There are many other things which Jesus did. If all of these were written, I think the world itself could not contain all the books.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)
- Jesus has told Peter that he will be martyred. The Beloved Disciple will not be.
- The Beloved Disciple enjoys an intimacy with Jesus to which even Peter has no access.
- Peter is curious about this relationship, but Jesus allows no discussion.
- The Beloved Disciple will have his own role in the Church.
- Peter is the Shepherd, the teacher, the hierarchical head. The Beloved Disciple is the faithful soul, the believer and the lover.
- These faithful souls will sustain the Church until the end of the world.
- The Beloved Disciple knew Jesus and wrote this gospel, to explain the great mystery. Jesus is the “Word Made Flesh among us.”
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- Make me your Beloved Disciple, faithful in everything.
- How close you hold me! What intimacy you offer to me! Why should I seek anything else?
- O Jesus, captivate my heart. Never let me go.
- Make me faithful to the very end.
- Reveal your secrets to me, O Lord, and I will make You known to the whole world.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
- Today, I will allow Jesus to draw me to his heart.
- I will curb my imagination and limit my curiosity about world events, so God can reveal his mysteries.
Thought for the Day: (To recall your meditation)
If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you?