John 21:20-24 NRSVue
20Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” 22Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” 23So the rumor spread among the brothers and sisters that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”,
24This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true.
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Is there is an undercurrent of sibling rivalry here? Jesus has just given
Peter the leadership, but also warned of a premature death. When Peter asks
about John's future, Jesus answers: /What is that to you? Follow me!/
Reflection
Lord I am not above sibling rivalry, that foolish waste of emotion. Teach me,
as you taught Peter, that the following of you places all of us on the same
level.
Reflection
Not everything about Jesus is written down. The events and words in the
gospel are for our faith, and propose the essential of the message of Jesus
in the different communities of the time. Jesus is still doing many things in
the world, and now these are done through his followers and all who live by
his gospel of faith, love and justice. Each of us now is a living gospel for
all to hear.