Commentary on the Gospel of
Today we read the (second) conclusion of John’s Gospel. Jesus’ gentle correction of Peter, who was more curious than concerned, is a lesson for all of us. We are all invited to get our own lives in order and our priorities correct before being preoccupied with the concerns of others. We also tend to compare our lives to others either to legitimize our commitment to Christ or to question the justice of God. Jesus’ response to Peter is the answer to our own upsets as well: “What is that to you: you must follow.” We may be uncertain, fearful even double hearted.
Jesus wants us to know that God is in control and we can confidently follow Jesus. Paul’s constraint and suffering in the first reading spring precisely from the misguided thinking of the Jews. What is particularly inspiring is the fact that even when this misguided thinking seems to carry the day, the Holy Spirit turns things around and Paul continues his ministry while under house arrest in far-away Rome. Paul’s priorities are in glaring contrast to those of his fellow Jews and are model for each of us.
