He wants our love.

Telling Him what we need, what we want, how much we love Him.

 

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊    

 Acts 28:16-20, 30-31

Upon our arrival in Rome,

The captain turned the prisoners over to the military governor,

but permitted Paul to lodge in a private house, with the soldier who guarded him.

After three days, Paul called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered,

he said to them: "Brothers, though I have not done anything against our people,

or against the traditions of our fathers, I was arrested in Jerusalem, and handed over to the Romans.

 

They examined me, and wanted to set me free, for they saw nothing in my case that deserved death.

But the Jews objected, so I was forced to appeal to Caesar without the least intention of bringing any case against my own people.

Therefore, I have asked to see you and speak with you, since it is because of the hope of Israel that I bear these chains."

Paul stayed for two whole years, in a house he himself rented, where he received, without any hindrance,

all those who came to see him. He proclaimed the kingdom of God,

and taught the truth about Jesus Christ, the Lord, quite openly and without any hindrance.

 

Ps 11:4, 5 & 7 The just will gaze on your face, O Lord.

 

＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊      

John 21:20-25

Peter looked back and saw that the disciple Jesus loved was following as well,

the one who had reclined close to Jesus at the supper, and had asked him, "Lord, who is to betray you?"

On seeing him, Peter asked Jesus, "Lord, what about him?" Jesus answered,

"If I want him to remain until I come, is that any concern of yours? Follow me!"

 

Because of this, the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die.

Yet Jesus did not say to Peter, "He will not die," but, "Suppose I want him to remain until I come back, what concern is that of yours?"

It is this disciple who testifies about the things and has written these things down, and we know that his testimony is true.

But Jesus did many other things; if all were written down, I think the world itself could not contain the books that should be written.

 

Gospel Reflection ：

"What does God want us to do?"

"Lord, what about him?" We spend a lot of energy thinking about what others are doing,

whether we measure up to them or whether they are falling short on the mark.

There's a competitive streak in us that can become a distraction rather than a force for good.

And so, rather than concentrating on what God wants us to do,

we spend our time thinking about what other people are doing.

 

Here Peter is wondering about what is going to happen to John, the beloved disciple.

Saint Peter is distracted by the uncertainties of the future, and so for a moment he forgets about what's most important,

that is, following Christ. Christ has called each of us to follow him,

but he has not called us to be another person or live someone else's life.

 

He has called you and me, personally. So, others might be doing great things for Christ;

we might have a simple life. Both are good and are a just cause for giving praise to God.

Let's not yearn for that which is not our vocation but remain faithful to Jesus in the life to which we have been called.