Wednesday, June 3, 2020

Saturday Reflection


Daily Gospel Reflection May 30th 2020

Gospel                                                                                  JN 21:20-25

Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved,
the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper
and had said, “Master, who is the one who will betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?  
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”

It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.

Dear Friends and Family,

            In yesterday’s Gospel, the conversation between Jesus and Peter is about the apostle being “lead to a place he does not want to go.”  Today, Peter continues his conversation with the Lord about an unnamed disciple.  This disciple is never named but most believe it is the Apostle John.  It’s curious how this person is identified, as the, “disciple…whom Jesus loved.”  This most likely is John, but it is also a reference to each one of us.  We are the disciple whom Jesus loves.  We may be wondering the same question, how will we come to our end?  Jesus’ answer does not change for us, “What concern is it of yours?”  We are a resurrection people, so the time of our passing is not ours to know. 

            This is healthy for us because it gives us a chance every morning to do God’s work anew and a chance every night to thank God for the blessings of the day and a chance to apologize for our moments of weakness.  We can waste a lifetime fearing what is lying right around the corner or we can live in the present and enjoy each moment as a gift from God.  This time of pandemic can open our hearts and minds to the treasure that is our family.  It can return us to our family table for meals and it can open our eyes to the gift that is our home.  The distancing from friends can help us to grow in our appreciation of those very friends.  We can fear what tomorrow will bring or we can live in peace knowing that each moment is a gift from God.  I’m not recommending we throw all caution to the wind, but rather we live the moments of our lives with intention and purpose, giving glory to God.  We are charged to protect the life God has entrusted to us so that our lives will lead others to God.  Holy God, you bless us with the precious gift of life.  Give us the strength and the courage to protect it, while at the same time living our lives in service to your Kingdom.

           


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