Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter Mass in the Morning
May 22, 2021
Saturday of the Seventh Week of Easter
Mass in the Morning
Lectionary: 302
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.
Responsorial Psalm
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.
Alleluia
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.
Gospel
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.
Reflection: LEADER CONTINUES TO LEARN
Leadership does not have the luxury of being exempted from correction. In the sequence of events that unfold, we recognize that Peter's role has been significant. The responsibility of shepherding that Jesus entrusted Peter with, does make him subject to eventual correction. After engaging Peter with a repeated question, Jesus tells him, 'follow me.' However, Peter can still and will continue to learn from Jesus as it is made evident in today's gospel. Jesus said, 'if it is my will that he remains until I come, what is that to you? Follow me.' The danger of our spiritual life and discipleship could be that we become territorial as to limit others from encountering Jesus. In all his enthusiasm, Peter's following of Jesus and the responsibility of shepherding, feeding rests upon his capability to share leadership with the community of disciples. Jesus had to be stern and reiterate to Peter saying that being a disciple calls for an inclusive attitude to work in collaboration with others. The early community of apostles have witnessed Jesus in action and were committed to spreading the mission entrusted to them. Their giftedness varied significantly, leading to the formation of a vibrant community. They manifested an impeccable level of energy even if it costed them to offer up their lives