Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 4, 2022
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?”
Jesus said to him, “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?
You follow me.”
So the word spread among the brothers that that disciple would not die.
But Jesus had not told him that he would not die,
just “What if I want him to remain until I come?
What concern is it of yours?”
It is this disciple who testifies to these things
and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
There are also many other things that Jesus did,
but if these were to be described individually,
I do not think the whole world would contain the books
that would be written.
No matter how much we prepare for the future, we cannot ensure life will go as planned. In today’s gospel, Peter poses a question to Jesus about John’s future. Jesus responds, “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours?”
Like Peter, I often find myself anxiously questioning God about my future and the future of those I love. When I fear an unexpected or undesired event, Jesus probes my heart, “What if I want it? What concern is it of yours?”
I recognize in Jesus’ response to Peter a call to relinquish control of my life, to seek God’s will rather than my own. Venerable Fulton Sheen wrote, “You will never be happy if your happiness depends on getting solely what you want. Change the focus. Get a new center. Will what God wills, and your joy no man shall take from you.” It is through aligning our will with God’s that we are freed from anxiety and find true peace and joy.
After rebuking Peter’s concern for the future, Jesus invites Peter, “You follow me.” On the shore of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus first called Peter to follow him, Peter is given a second chance—a chance to place his unwavering trust in the plans Jesus has for his life. When we are anxious and worried about many things, may we be reminded as Jesus told Martha that, “there is need of only one thing.” (Lk 10:42)
Tomorrow as we celebrate Pentecost, let us ask the Holy Spirit for greater trust so that we too may abandon our plans into God’s loving care and follow Jesus.
Prayer
God of truth, we know the experience of misunderstanding and the harm done by spreading stories that are not completely true. By your grace, give us courage to testify to the truth in our daily lives. Help us today to see your many wonderful works, to celebrate them, and to share them so that your Spirit may grow in us. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
Saint of the Day
Petroc is a British saint from the early sixth century, who was a foundational figure in British monasticism. Petroc was born the son of a Welsh king. Petroc was sent to Ireland for his education, where he studied with the monastic communities there.
Once he had finished his studies, Petroc did not return to his princely life in Wales but went on pilgrimage to Rome.
Petroc's humility was legendary. A famous legend of Petroc tells the story of his eventful return to England from Rome. As he and his companions landed on the beach, torrents of rain began to fall. Petroc assured his companions that the rain would soon cease. The rain continued for several more days, without abating in ferocity. In penance, Petroc set off on another pilgrimage. According to legend, he traveled as far as India.
After his return, he shut himself up in a monastery and chose the life of a hermit. Monks clamored for Petroc to found monastic communities throughout England, and so Petroc began his career of founding monastic communities throughout Wales, Britain, and his work in the south of England earned him the patronage of the region.
Petroc's humility and kindness were manifest in his relations with animals as well as people. He is often shown with either a stag or a wolf, as various legends credit him with taming both animals. Petroc is also a patron saint of Devon and Cornwall.
St. Petroc, builder of the Church and builder of churches in Britain—pray for us!