(John 21:20-25)
Prayer: O Jesus, help me to find my call.
Imagination: (Picture Jesus with Peter and the Beloved Disciple)
Context:
Tomorrow is the feast of Pentecost. So today’s gospel brings an end to the Easter visions. The story of the two apostles closest to Jesus are Peter and the Beloved Disciple. Peter has just received authority in the church. This text shows that the Beloved Disciple has a different role.
Gospel Text: (Read slowly, possibly aloud).
When Peter turned around, he saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following. This was the disciple who leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who will betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what shall he do?” Jesus said, “What if I have him stay until I come? How does that concern you?” As this saying spread, many thought that Jesus said that the disciple would not die. However, Jesus did not say he would not die, but “Suppose I want him to stay until I come? What is that to you?”
This is the disciple who gives testimony of these things and has written them. We know that his testimony is true. There are many other things that Jesus did. If they were all written down, the world itself, I think, could not contain the books that would be written.
Thoughts: (Read all. Ponder those that attract you.)
- This final story deliberately links Peter who has Jesus’ special authority with the Beloved Disciple who had Jesus’ special love.
- The story prepares for the Church which always needs authority and faithful people.
- People who know and love Jesus will remain until he returns.
- Jesus’ promise was not limited to the first Beloved Disciple. All are called to know and love Jesus.
- All can lean on Jesus’ heart at the moment of Holy Communion.
- This gospel has special credibility, written by an eyewitness, the disciple most loved by Jesus.
- The whole world cannot contain all the stories of Jesus because they continue to happen every day.
Affections: (When one touches your heart, use your own words.)
- O Jesus, I, too, am your beloved, special to you.
- Let me rest in your Sacred Heart. You want me there.
- Jesus, you know the length of my life and the day of my death.
- Thank you for the stories of your life. They are heaven in our midst.
- You are always drawing me into your Kingdom.
- O Jesus, make me your beloved disciple. This is my greatest desire.
Resolutions: (Possibly you might want to make your own.)
- I will accept Jesus’ invitation to place my head on his heart.
- I will read some gospel stories today.
Thought for the day: (To recall your meditation)
This is the disciple who has written these things.