Date: May 30, 2020 ()

Bible Text: First Reading ACTS 28:16-20, 30-31; Gospel JN 21:20-25 |

Series:

When things get so difficult in our faith journey, what will keep us going is that memory of God who loves us…

One of the most affirming experiences in basketball is when the coach calls you from the bench and sends you to the game. It’s a wonderful feeling to be given a role and trusted. When my bishop in the Philippines calls me out and says: “Will you go there?”, no matter how challenging my life would be as I figured it out, his commissioning still sounded to me like an affirmation. I felt proud to be sent on a mission. And I knew it was the Lord who specially meant it to happen.

In yesterday’s gospel, when Jesus called Peter to become the chief shepherd of the church, Peter responded with constancy and devotedness: “yes Lord, I love you.” It’s that feeling of being deeply forgiven, accepted, loved, and trusted again despite his betrayal that made Peter love the Lord in a renewed vigor, no matter what it takes now to be a disciple.

Today we learn again another way by which Jesus shows his special affirmation to his follower. When Peter saw John recline upon Jesus’ chest, 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? These special words of Jesus meant a lot to John. They left a powerful impact on the beloved apostle; and made him feel special and deeply loved too.

What did John commit to doing to show his deep love for Jesus in return? John is one of the evangelists. He took pains to write the gospel. “It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true (John 21:25).”

We have many different unique moments with the Lord. That’s why we have myriads of inspiring stories to tell about the love of God for us too. It is good to remember them and hold them dear in our hearts. When things get so difficult in our faith journey, what will keep us going is that memory of God who believes in us, who forgives us, who trusts us again, who looks at us with the eyes of a mother or a father or a friend who is so close and fond of us.