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.
or
Alleluia!
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 upright shall see your face, O Lord.
or
Alleluia!
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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You follow Me
In yesterday’s gospel reading, we saw Peter receiving His mission to feed Jesus’s flock. Right after receiving His mission, Peter turned and noticed the disciple whom Jesus loved following them. He became distracted and asked Jesus, “What about him, Lord?”. This question reveals the rivalry that was brewing in his heart. He wanted to know which disciple had a greater future and mission- Him or the disciple whom Jesus loved. However, Jesus redirected Peter’s attention back to what was truly important: “You are to follow Me”.
Each of us possesses a natural inclination towards competition, which makes us desire to be the most recognised, loved, and praised among our friends, siblings, and community members. Nevertheless, our daily task is to fix our eyes on Jesus and follow Him. Jesus calls each one of us by name, entrusting us with our own unique mission for the benefit of others and the growth of God’s kingdom of love. Today, Jesus invites us to follow Him and help others along the journey.
Reflective question:
What is Jesus’ message to me in this time of prayer?
Acknowledgment: Reflections are based on “Prayer for Living: The Word of God for Daily Prayer Year C” by Sr Maria Jose FMVD.
