7th week in Easter Time, Saturday – 07th 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.
