When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” (John 21:21-22)
After an unsuccessful attempt to return to fishing, Jesus appears again to the disciples. Three times, He asks Peter, “Do you love me?” This was to make up for the three times that Peter denied Him and each time, Peter responded: “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” These questions must have made Peter very uncomfortable. While Peter denied Jesus three times, there was a disciple who stood beside Jesus all through. This disciple was with Mary, the mother of Jesus at the foot of the cross and it was through him that Jesus handed over his mother to us Christians.
After Jesus had asked Peter if he loved him three times, Jesus reinstated Peter by saying “Feed my lambs, tend my flock, feed my flock” Then Jesus predicted the kind of death that Peter would die. Peter saw John coming behind them. Since John did not betray Jesus, Peter asked Jesus: “Lord, what about this man? Is he also going to die that way?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” (John 21:21-22).
Jesus was saying to Peter, “Whatever becomes of John is not as important as the task before you.” In essence, Jesus was telling Peter: “Mind your business.” In life, we do not all have the same calling and even in ministry, every minister has his/her unique gifts, talents, and opportunities. We must avoid having to compare ourselves with each other lest we lose touch with our unique call.
To the ordinary eyes, it seems as if John did better than Peter but the question is: “If John had faced the same temptations that Peter faced, would he have done better?” Let us by every means avoid having to compare ourselves with others because we do not know the whole story. Stop asking: “Is her/his/their cross heavier than mine?” We are all carrying the crosses that God deems fit for each of us. No one has it all good!
Mind your business, struggle for your salvation, and be at your best. Paul knew his purpose. Even in prison, he continued to mind his business – the business of preaching, preaching with his pen. Today, Paul’s letters occupy a large part of the New Testament. Peter did not write as much as Paul but both of them fulfilled their call. We cannot all be the same but we must all be our best. There is no competition in heaven.
Let us pray: Come Holy Spirit fill our hearts, and enkindle in us your Sacred Fire. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Bible Study: Acts 28:16-20,30-31, Ps. 11:4-5,7, John 21:20-25)*
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu