Daily Gospel Reflection
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June 7, 2025
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.
To jump right into a football analogy, the sharp question Jesus asks in today’s gospel, “What concern is it of yours?” seems comparable to a coach who is once again chewing out a quarterback in a film session. I argue that Peter was not getting nosy about other people’s business or showing a “lack of understanding in the playbook.” Rather, he was seeking consolation for his own anxious heart. I believe the key to understanding what actually happened is to try and stand in Peter’s cleats—so to speak.
Imagine standing before the Lord in a dark room, and the only light is coming from him. Surrounding our Lord on the floor are broken glass, sharp rocks, and countless nails. He asks you not to look at the floor but at him: “You follow me.” Perhaps you would ask if your family is coming along. And if there was a friend next to you, you would probably ask about them too.
When we are frightened, we ask questions like, “Will someone be there with me? Am I the only one?” These questions are not nosy. They are designed to bring comfort to a frightened heart.
In football, the coach or offensive coordinator helps the quarterback narrow down his responsibilities for each play call. In most pass plays, the quarterback will focus on or “read” only one or two defenders. Not all eleven. Hence, Jesus’ response would have ultimately ushered peace into Peter’s heart. The coach wasn’t chewing out his quarterback. He was helping him narrow down his focus.
At times, our walk with the Lord can be very scary. When we feel overwhelmed or fearful, we must remember that as long as we have him, we have everything we need. Today, he who calls us by name reminds us of our main focus, “You Follow Me.”
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. Amen.
Saint of the Day
Blessed Anne, or Ana, as she was born, was an early member of St. Teresa of Àvila's Discalced Carmelite order. Ana was born in October of 1550, the youngest child of a large Catholic family.
Her three brothers, three sisters, and their parents all attended Mass frequently as a family. Her parents instilled a life of faith in their young children, praying the rosary together, instructing their children in Catholic doctrine, and teaching their children to provide for and care for the poor they offered hospitality to in their home.
Ana was drawn to the love expressed by Christ in his passion, and she meditated upon his suffering for us often. Ana desperately wanted to imitate Christ. When Ana was only nine years old, her mother passed away. Only a year later, Ana's father died as well, leaving young Ana in desolation.
Left in the care of her brothers, Ana deeply desired to join the religious order, but her elder brothers would not hear of it, convinced that Ana would not be able to persist in religious life, and leave them, embarrassed, with a spinster sister.
Ana languished, miserable and alone. She fell ill, and nothing could cure her. Her relatives worried about her health, but no cure could help her. Finally, they carried her to a hermitage dedicated to St. Bartholomew, and Ana was cured.
At long last, Ana entered the Carmelite convent as a secular member. She entered in 1570 and remained the infirmarian at the Carmelite convent until 1605. Ana cared for St. Teresa faithfully on her deathbed. St. Teresa died in Ana's arms.
In 1605, the French Carmelites appointed Ana the superior of the convent in Pontoise. This was a highly unusual step, as Ana was a "secular Carmelite," meaning she was not part of the choir, and removed from the convent's life of prayer. She was consecrated as a religious sister and took over the convent at Pontoise. Ana became the prioress of several different convents: Tours, Flanders, and finally Antwerp, where she died on June 7, 1626. Her spiritual writings and letters are preserved in Antwerp and Paris.
Pope Benedict XV beatified Ana on May 6, 1917.
Blessed Anne of St. Bartholomew, companion to St. Teresa of Avila—pray for us!
Image Credit: Our featured image of Bl. Anne of St. Bartholomew is in the public domain. Last accessed March 6, 2025 on Wikimedia Commons.
