Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Saturday, 7 June 2014

Frederick, Maryland, United States - Daily Mass Reading & Catholic Meditation “The Word Among Us” for Saturday, 7 June 2014
Meditations: John 21:20 Then Peter, turning around, saw a disciple following. This was the disciple whom Jesus loved, the one who had also leaned on Jesus’ breast at the supper and asked, “Lord, who is going to betray You?” 21 Peter seeing him, said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.” 23 This saying therefore went out among the brothers,[a] that this disciple wouldn’t die. Yet Jesus didn’t say to him that he wouldn’t die, but, “If I desire that he stay until I come, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who testifies about these things, and wrote these things. We know that his witness is true. 25 There are also many other things which Jesus did, which if they would all be written, I suppose that even the world itself wouldn’t have room for the books that would be written.
Footnotes:
a. John 21:23 The word for “brothers” here may be also correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”
7th Week of Easter
“Lord, what about him?” … “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” (John 21:21, 22)
How easy it can be to let speculation about other people’s paths distract us from Jesus’ plan for us! We may wonder why another person seems to enjoy singular blessings or why someone else has to endure so many hardships and roadblocks on the way of holiness. But whether our uneasy reflections are tinged with relief or envy, they can hold us back from making progress in our spiritual life.
“Lord, why did they put him in charge of that committee when I have so much more expertise?” “Why did she win the lottery?” “Why are my children the only ones who have dropped out of school and wrecked their marriages?” “Why was my husband’s cancer detected so early and cured so easily, while this woman has had to suffer one futile treatment after another?” The questions can go on and on.
But each time we let this happen, Jesus seeks to redirect our attention, just as he did for Peter. He assures us that he is dealing with each individual according to his own wisdom and plan. Then he tells us the only thing we really need to hear: “Follow me.” Everything else is secondary. For when we follow Jesus, we find answers to many of our other questions and concerns. As for those that remain unanswered, we learn the art of trust and surrender.
In today’s Gospel, for instance, Peter asked Jesus about the fate of John, his fellow apostle. But Jesus responded by telling him that what would happen to John was Jesus’ business, not Peter’s. Peter simply needed to follow the Lord. Of course Jesus wants us to be concerned about our families, our friends, and the needy among us. Yes, he wants us to be concerned about each other’s future. But the basis for our concern should be their welfare, not curiosity or jealousy.
Every life has its own path, with its own particular twists and turns. Jesus wants us to face these twists with confidence, courage, and trust. He doesn’t always let us in on all that lies ahead, and he doesn’t always tell us his plans for the other people in our lives. But he does assure us that he will be with us every step of the way.
“Jesus, I want to follow you wholeheartedly. Please direct my path.” Amen.
Acts 28:16 When we entered into Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard, but Paul was allowed to stay by himself with the soldier who guarded him.
17 After three days Paul called together those who were the leaders of the Jews. When they had come together, he said to them, “I, brothers, though I had done nothing against the people, or the customs of our fathers, still was delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans, 18 who, when they had examined me, desired to set me free, because there was no cause of death in me. 19 But when the Jews spoke against it, I was constrained to appeal to Caesar, not that I had anything about which to accuse my nation. 20 For this cause therefore I asked to see you and to speak with you. For because of the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.”
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who were coming to him, 31 preaching God’s Kingdom, and teaching the things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness, without hindrance.
Psalm 11:4 Yahweh is in his holy temple.
    Yahweh is on his throne in heaven.
His eyes observe.
    His eyes examine the children of men.
5 Yahweh examines the righteous,
    but the wicked and him who loves violence his soul hates.
7 For Yahweh is righteous.
    He loves righteousness.
    The upright shall see his face.
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