Greetings on this the Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Readings: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31; Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7; John 21:20-25
Summary
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?” (Jn 21:20-21).
This is a wonderful insert to the Gospel of John that is out of place in chronological order and yet perfectly placed to encounter the Parousia (the completion of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ) and the divine plan for each and every person (in the ‘now’ of life). If you want to follow the logic the twin sacred readings are John 13 and John 21. Both are in proximity to meals (the institution of the Eucharist (Jn 13) and the seashore meal of fish post-Resurrection (Jn 21)).
There are two questions here and Jesus answers the second question.
Question 1. “Master, who is the one who will betray you?” – this question is answered in the first presentation of the scene in John 13. Jesus answered, “It is the one to whom I hand the morsel after I have dipped it.” So he dipped the morsel and [took it and] handed it to Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot (Jn 13:26).
Question 2. “Lord, what about him?” – asked only in the second recapitulation of the scene. Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come (the final completion of the Parousia)? What concern is it of yours? You follow me.” (Jn 21:22).
Reflection
On first encounter one is tempted to only address the future of The Beloved Disciple. “What about”, “What if”.
But the insertion here is the wondering of the future of two men:
- Judas, son of Simon the Iscariot.
- John, the beloved disciple.
Peter is always ready to give us our deepest questions as the foils of our instinct.
The divine answer is “What if?“. Or said in modern terms, “Why ask?“.
The big difference and the natural disappointment is that this is after Peter is reconciled with Jesus in the “Love me” rehabilitation dialog and Jesus emphasized his [Peter’s] role in the church. But he (God bless my brother, Peter) still instinctually needed to ask “Lord, what about him?”
Personal Reflection
I was going to call this post “Compare and Contrast”. But that is the dead-end logic Jesus wants us to avoid.
After the betrayal (Jn 13) – Jesus gives The New Commandment.
After the question about John (Jn 21) – Jesus gives Peter a reminder of his mission. Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me (Jn 21:22).
- We all share completely the imperative of the New Commandment.
- We all share proportionally the institution and purpose of the Rock.
Tomorrow is Pentecost – the Universal gift of the person of God completed (Father, Son and Holy Spirit). You personal mission, my personal mission, is the unique ways I am given to the imperative and the proportional. May the Spirit of God dwell with in you!
It is not for my brain/soul to consider the fate of Judas. It is not for my brain to consider John, the beloved disciple’s death. Their future is known only to God. For me I am to know God and to make his love known. Jesus’ words to Peter are the same words to me (btw, Pope Francis answered correctly – Who am I to judge?):
What concern is it of yours? You follow me.
Sacred Readings Full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/060725.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry