What about him?

After receiving his mandate from Jesus to feed the Lord’s flock, Peter asks Jesus about the Beloved Disciple. Given the context of Jesus’ prediction that Peter will die a martyr, Peter most probably asks about the fate of the Beloved Disciple. Jesus does not directly answer the impertinent question, but implicit in his remark is though the Beloved Disciple may not suffer a martyr’s death like Peter, his kind of witness will be no less inferior than Peter’s.

In early Christianity, to suffer martyrdom was considered the supreme act of witness. Tertullian declares that the blood of martyrs is the seed of Christianity. Once the time of persecution had passed, to live as monks or retire in the desert was thought of as a higher form of sanctity. Then religious or consecrated life was thought to be a higher calling. In our age, all states are considered equal; all believers are called to be holy in the state of life they have chosen. “All the faithful of Christ of whatever rank or status, are called to the fullness of the Christian life and to the perfection of charity… All the faithful of Christ are invited to strive for the holiness and perfection of their own proper state” (Vatican II, Lumen Gentium, 40, 42). The Lord has a unique call for every disciple. The Beloved Disciple, in his own way, is no less important than Peter.

FIRST READING • Acts 28:16-20, 30-31

When he entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself, with the soldier who was guarding him.

Three days later, he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “My brothers, although I had done nothing against our people or our ancestral customs, I was handed over to the Romans as a prisoner from Jerusalem. After trying my case the Romans wanted to release me, because they found nothing against me deserving the death penalty. But when the Jews objected, I was obliged to appeal to Caesar, even though I had no accusation to make against my own nation. This is the reason, then, I have requested to see you and to speak with you, for it is on account of the hope of Israel that I wear these chains.”

He remained for two full years in his lodgings. He received all who came to him, and with complete assurance and without hindrance, he proclaimed the Kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ.

Gospel • John 21:20-25

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 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.

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-8959701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: publishing@stpauls. ph; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.