You Follow Me

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/060317.cfm) reminds me that God wants me to just focus on Him as I serve Him. 

It is said that John is the favorite of Jesus, or at least that he was special to Jesus. Probably he knew that he would eventually entrust his earthly mother to John, that’s why he was special. John was referred to as “the disciple that Jesus loved,” and in the gospel today, we see Peter asking Jesus what will happen to John. This was after Jesus told Peter that he would suffer for Christ. 

Siguro medyo takot si Peter. Kaya tinanong nya si Jesus what will happen to John. Mahihirapan din ba si John parang ako? He was probably thinking.

The Jesus said to him: "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me."

They thought John would not die, although of course, this was not the case. He died too.  But more than answering what will happen to John, Jesus wants to make a point – It is not your concern. You follow me.

Sometimes, as human beings we tend to envy others. We tend to see and focus on what others have that we don’t. We compare ourselves and our lives, with others. This is true even with those whom we serve with, sometimes we can’t help but compare. Bakit siya maganda ang career…? Bakit sya may lovelife? Bakit sya gwapo o maganda? Bakit siya masagana ang buhay…? E pare pareho naman kami naglilingkod sayo, Lord..?

Jesus is telling us today to just FOCUS on HIM, not on other people, not on what other people have. He did not tell Peter something like “E leader ka naman e, first Pope ka nga, o diba?” Instead, he told Peter to mind his own business and just follow God. You follow me, nevermind other people, nevermind what they have. You serve me. You love me. 

Ikaw.

Ikaw ang gusto ng Diyos. Ang buong pagkatao mo. Ang buong sarili mo. Not your accomplishments on earth. Not your beauty. Not your richness. Ikaw mismo. And for us to be able to give our whole selves to Him, we should be happy with whatever blessings we have, we should be contented and thankful for everything. We should focus on Him.

Do I feel that way too? Am I like Peter who looks around and compare my life with other people? Am I envious of other people’s lives? What does it take to make me realize that God wants me, my whole self? What can I do to be able to focus on God? How can I strengthen my personal relationship with Him so I would be able to focus on Him more?

May we always remember what Jesus said to Peter. You follow me. Let us focus on God and offer our whole self to Him

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for weekend. I thank you for giving me another opportunity to rest and recharge. Lord, sorry for the times I act like Peter. Sorry for comparing myself with others. Sorry for focusing on others instead of on you. Lord, I ask that you help me give myself to you.  Help me build my relationship with you so I can focus on you and not compare my life with that of other people. Help me serve you with love. May I never be envious of what other people have, and just follow and serve you. All this I ask in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.

Blessed weekend!

In Christ,

-g-

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June 3, 2017
Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs
Lectionary: 302

Reading 1ACTS 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.

Responsorial PsalmPS 11:4, 5 AND 7

R. (see 7b) The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD is in his holy temple;
the LORD's throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold,
his searching glance is on mankind.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.
The LORD searches the just and the wicked;
the lover of violence he hates.
For the LORD is just, he loves just deeds;
the upright shall see his face.
R. The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.
or:
R. Alleluia.

AlleluiaJN 16:7, 13

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
I will send to you the Spirit of truth, says the Lord;
he will guide you to all truth.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

GospelJN 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 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.