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 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.
The Gospel of the Lord.
The Mass intention is for James Ritchie RIP
Reflection:
St Rita was an Italian woman who had a unique vocation. She initially wanted to become a nun but was convinced by her parents to marry instead. She married to Paolo Mancini, a violent man, who mistreated her. They had two sons. Through her prayers and good example, she was able to change her husband to become a better person. Unfortunately, Paolo was murdered due to the turbulent political times. Her two sons wanted revenge. Following the example of her peacemaking parents, she forgave her husband’s murderers and convinced her sons not to avenge their father’s death. The sons died due to natural causes before committing a crime. Being a widow and losing her two sons, she entered the Augustinian convent after being repeatedly turned down. The sisters were hesitant to accept her because of the bad blood between her family and those who murdered her husband. It was only when she negotiated a peace agreement between the warring families that she was finally accepted in the monastery. Desiring to share in the Lord’s Passion, she received stigmata on her forehead. She bore the wound for several years until her death.
In today’s Gospel, John wrote “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.” Jesus’ unwritten work continues in the Church up to this time, and beyond. He worked in St Rita through her life as a young woman, wife, mother, widow, and religious. He works in the many women who experience domestic violence, loss of loved ones, loss of earnings, and other cases which the world might treat as “impossible”. He works in you and I. Worried, afraid, or doubtful like Peter, we often ask Jesus, “What about this or that?”. Jesus tells us “What concern is it of yours? You follow me.”
- “Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, help my heart to persevere in all that is holy.” (St Rita of Cascia). How can Jesus help you to remain holy?
- How trusting are you in God’s providence?
- How can Jesus work in and through you today?
Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Word today. Through the prayers and example of St Rita of Cascia, help me to see that You “will make a way when there seems to be no way” in the trials I experience right now. Amen.
(Pietro)
