First Reading: Acts 28: 16-20. 30-31/
Psalm: Ps 11: 4. 5 and 7/
The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
Gospel: Jn 21: 20-25
Sat: Easter Weekday
Acts 25: 13b-21/ Ps 103: 1-2. 11-12. 19-20ab/ Jn 21: 15-19
1st. Reading: Acts 28: 16-20. 30-31/
16 Upon our arrival in Rome, the captain turned the prisoners over to the military governor, but permitted Paul to lodge in a private house, with the soldier who guarded him. 17 After three days, Paul called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered, he said to them: “Brothers, though I have not done anything against our people, or against the traditions of our fathers, I was arrested in Jerusalem, and handed over to the Romans. 18 They examined me, and wanted to set me free, for they saw nothing in my case that deserved death. 19 But the Jews objected, so I was forced to appeal to Caesar without the least intention of bringing any case against my own people. 20 Therefore, I have asked to see you, and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel, that I bear these chains.”
Responsorial Psalm; Ps 11: 4. 5 and 7/ The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
4 Yahweh is in his holy place— our God whose throne is in heaven. He looks down to earth to observe the race of Adam.
5 Yahweh searches both righteous and wicked. He hates those who delight in violence.
7 For Yahweh is righteous; he loves justice. The upright will see his face.
Gospel: Jn 21: 20-25
20 Peter looked back and saw that the disciple Jesus loved was following as well, the one who had reclined close to Jesus at the supper, and had asked him, “Lord, who is to betray you?” 21 On seeing him, Peter asked Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to re
main until I come, is that any concern of yours? Follow me!” 23 Because of this, the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to Peter, “He will not die,” but, “Suppose I want him to remain until I come back, what concern is that of yours?” 24 It is this disciple who testifies about the things and has written these things down, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 But Jesus did many other things; if all were written down, I think the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.
Reflection:
Gazing Sideways
Old habits die hard! The simmering competitiveness that the disciples had suffered from still refuses to die out in Peter. And with good reason! After all, here is John known to be the “favourite” of the Master, even if there is no truth in such perception. (“Daddy/Mommy always loved you more than me”—isn’t this one of the perennial complaints among siblings even into their adult days?) We all have a natural and often excessive curiosity to know what destiny awaits the other, and a secret wish that it be no better than ours! As we climb up the ladder, we often look back over the shoulders, not always to help out the one behind, but to ensure that he/she does not overtake us! Jesus nips Peter’s undue curiosity in the bud by an equivalent of “leave it to me; It’s none of your business.” Our call is to follow the Lord, period. Too much of lateral gaze can drown us, as it once happened to Peter on the waters.