First reading Acts 28:16-20,30-31
In Rome, Paul proclaimed the kingdom of God without hindrance from anyone
On our arrival in Rome Paul was allowed to stay in lodgings of his own with the soldier who guarded him.
After three days he called together the leading Jews. When they had assembled, he said to them, ‘Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was arrested in Jerusalem and handed over to the Romans. They examined me and would have set me free, since they found me guilty of nothing involving the death penalty; but the Jews lodged an objection, and I was forced to appeal to Caesar, not that I had any accusation to make against my own nation. That is why I have asked to see you and talk to you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear this chain.’
Paul spent the whole of the two years in his own rented lodging. He welcomed all who came to visit him, proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching the truth about the Lord Jesus Christ with complete freedom and without hindrance from anyone.
Responsorial Psalm 10(11):4-5,7
The upright shall see your face, O Lord.
The Lord is in his holy temple,
the Lord, whose throne is in heaven.
His eyes look down on the world;
his gaze tests mortal men.
The Lord tests the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
The Lord is just and loves justice;
the upright shall see his face.
Gospel John 21:20-25
This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and we know that his testimony is true
Peter turned and saw the disciple Jesus loved following them – the one who had leaned on his breast at the supper and had said to him, ‘Lord, who is it that will betray you?’ Seeing him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘What about him, Lord?’ Jesus answered, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’ The rumour then went out among the brothers that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus had not said to Peter, ‘He will not die’, but, ‘If I want him to stay behind till I come.’
This disciple is the one who vouches for these things and has written them down, and we know that his testimony is true.
There were many other things that Jesus did; if all were written down, the world itself, I suppose, would not hold all the books that would have to be written.
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Follow me
Today’s gospel passage continues with Peter’s encounter with Jesus at the Lake of Tiberias. Here, we see that Peter still has much to learn on his journey of following Jesus. Even after receiving the responsibility to shepherd Christ’s flock, he remains the same impulsive man. His attention wanders to the beloved disciple, and curiosity takes hold of him. After being given the task to feed Jesus’ sheep, Peter wonders what will become of the beloved disciple who had reclined so close to Jesus at the Last Supper? Peter asks Jesus, “What about him, Lord?” We cannot know Peter’s exact motive, whether comparison, insecurity, or even jealousy, but his question reveals a familiar temptation: to measure ourselves against others. Jesus’ reply, “Follow me,” redirects Peter from curiosity to calling. In Jesus’ reply to Peter, we see His patient love, repeatedly restoring and refocusing Peter on what truly matters.
When we listen to the call of Jesus, He leads us into a purposeful life of love. We discover our own mission and accept that each brother and sister has their own path and calling, guided by the Lord. Today, let us fix our eyes on Jesus and faithfully follow Him wherever He leads.
Reflective question:
How can I follow Jesus with greater faithfulness today?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year A” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD
