Breaking the Word

7^th week in Easter Time, Saturday – 07^th June 2025 — Acts 28,16-20.30-31; Jn 21,20-25

Being Faithful

Peter, John and James were Jesus’ closest followers (Mt 17,1; Mk 14,33; Lk 8,51). When Jesus made a prediction about Peter’s eventual fate (Jn 21,18-19), out of curiosity Peter asked Jesus about what would happen to John (Jn 21,21), as he was standing nearby. The prophecy about Peter’s death, in a way, serves as a prediction that Peter’s faith will never fail. However, Jesus responded to Peter’s curiosity by refusing to make a prediction. He merely told Peter that John’s fate was irrelevant to Peter’s ministry and faith. Jesus’ response is not a rebuke, or even a criticism. It’s simply a rhetorical question. His response encourages individuals to focus on obedience and faithfulness to God’s plan, rather than seeking to understand or getting caught up in comparing one’s life and ministry with others. In one sense, Jesus warns against the pitfalls of comparing oneself to others. It’s good to care about the fate of others. But it should not change our obligation to focus on obeying God’s call. Ironically, even though Jesus is refusing to comment on John’s death, John mentions that rumours and misinterpretation arose about his fate. There is a need to counter an incorrect assumption as John did.

7^th week in Easter Time, Friday – 06^th June 2025 – Acts 25,13b-21; Jn 21,15-19

Profound Deepening

When Jesus speaks to Peter, He uses the imagery of age and strength, “Peter when you were young … Peter when you are old” (Jn 21,18). Various traditions have used many metaphors to make this differentiation clear: beginner and proficient, novices and initiated, milk and meat, letter and spirit, juniors and seniors, baptized and confirmed, apprentice and master, morning and evening. This metaphor of Jesus offers a profound glimpse of our Spiritual journey as we become the followers of Christ. It serves as a sobering reminder of the surrender and humility we require to move forward in our faith. Spiritual writer Richard Rohr divides life into two distinct halves: the first half focused on building identity, relationships, and careers, and the second half marked by losses, transitions, and the potential for deeper spiritual understanding. These two halves are cumulative and sequential, and both are very necessary. The experience of hardships and failures in the second half of life, though perceived often as negative, becomes a powerful catalyst for spiritual growth and a deeper connection with God and a more authentic understanding of oneself. In the divine economy of grace, sin and failure become the base metal and raw material for transformative spiritual experiences. In this spiritual awakening, each one moves with passion beyond the human need of comparison, external validation and support.