Seventh Week of Easter
27th May 2023 (Saturday) Readings and Reflection
Reading of the Day
First Reading: Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
16 And when we came into Rome, Paul was allowed to stay by himself, with the soldier who guarded him. 17 After three days he called together the local leaders of the Jews, and when they had gathered, he said to them, “Brothers, though I had done nothing against our people or the customs of our fathers, yet I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 When they had examined me, they wished to set me at liberty, because there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 But because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar—though I had no charge to bring against my nation. 20 For this reason, therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I am wearing this chain.”30 He lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.
Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7
R/. The Upright shall behold your face, O Lord. Or: Alleluia.
Gospel : John 21:20-25
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” 21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” 22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” 23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?” 24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things, and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true. 25 Now there are also many other things that Jesus did. Were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
Daily Gospel Reflection
The Reflection by Fr. Thumma Mariadas Reddy MSFS{alertWarning}
Main Theme: I wear these chains for his sake!
Indicative: Faith is the greatest gift of God to us. It also becomes our gift to him when there is testimony. Our only mission is to witness{alertSuccess}
1. “What concern is it of yours? You follow me”. This is the rebuke of Jesus to Peter. The context is Peter’s query about the fate of his companion, John. Here let our attention not be on Jesus’ reproach. Rather Jesus directs our attention to the priorities in life.
2. Nothing should come in the way of our priorities in life. And the topmost priority is following Jesus. Unnecessary interest in other matters, interfering inquisitiveness, eagerness to gather news and information about others – all these are not pleasing in God’s sight. And these can be very distracting and disrupt our focus as well.
3. If we follow Jesus, then surely it will manifest itself in testimony. There is no following without testimony and no testimony without following. One authenticates the other and authenticates itself in the other.
4. This is what Paul does in the Acts of the Apostles. Though under house arrest, he continued to proclaim the gospel to all those who came to him. As the text says, “With complete assurance and without hindrance he proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ”.
5. This is what John too professes to do in the gospel: “It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true”. Perhaps, this is one great tragedy in our times: the need and the value of witness is declining. At times, there is no prick of conscience even about the gravity of counter-witness.
Imperative: It is the high time that we restrain all our unnecessary concerns and concentrate on the essentials. If possible and needed, let us show genuine concern for others. Otherwise, let us focus on our own following of the Lord{alertSuccess}