GOSPEL OF THE DAY

From the Gospel according to 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 word of the Lord

 

You, follow Me.

In this Gospel, the Lord shows us that the only way to truly know ourselves is to know Him. And when we ask Him how to do that, He tells us: “Fix your gaze on Me.” That is why, when we turn our eyes towards others, He says to us, “What is that to you?” Do not compare yourself with anyone; do not focus on what others do; do not justify yourself by pointing out the faults of others. You follow Me. Look at Me, only at Me, and do what you are called to do.

In marriage, we cannot justify ourselves by what our spouse does or fails to do. Husbands and wives must not compare themselves or keep score of who does what. I must pour all my love into every act of the day, even if it is not returned, just as Jesus did. My mission in this life is to give myself without reserve to my spouse, until death, as Christ did for me — He who shed the very last drop of His blood for me, and also for you, and for each one of us, for His Bride, the Church.

Let us not lose heart, let us not grow weary. Let us remain faithful and steadfast, as Our Lord taught us.

 

Applied to married life

Mike: You know, Susana, today as I was reflecting on the Gospel, I felt very much like Peter… looking at someone else, comparing myself, asking the Lord: “And what about him?”

Susana: Yes… it’s striking how comparison appears there. Peter has just received an immense mission — to be the head of the Church — and yet straight away he looks at someone else’s path. And Jesus replies with such tenderness and firmness: “What is that to you? You follow Me.” As if He were saying to us as well: “Don’t look at what others are doing… look at Me, and walk together.”

Mike: How often we lose our peace by comparing ourselves: thinking that this couple prays more, that those others seem more united, that that marriage has everything sorted… and sometimes I think, “If only we were like them.” And without realising it, I end up disregarding the beautiful story God is writing with us.

Susana: And today the Lord reminds us that our story is unique. Our love has a specific mission. We must recognise ourselves as chosen, called, and sent as spouses. We don’t need to live anyone else’s life.

Mike: And we need to trust that God doesn’t make mistakes with our story. He doesn’t want us to be “like other couples”; He wants us to be fully ourselves. It moves me to think that Jesus has chosen us and trusts us just as He trusted Peter, despite his weaknesses. He didn’t ask him for perfection… only love and discipleship.

Susana: That brings such peace… Not competing, not pretending, not measuring ourselves. Simply following Christ together. Because then our marriage also becomes a “witness”: a small story where Jesus continues to act.

Mike: So today I just want to hear that: “You follow Me”… with you, hand in hand, towards Him.

Susana: And I with you, Mike. Whatever comes, looking more to Christ and to our mission than to our limitations.

Both together: “Lord, teach us to follow You together, with humility, faithfulness, and joy, without comparing ourselves, living the unique mission You have dreamed for our marriage.”

 

Mother,

Teach us to lift up our gaze and look to Him alone. Blessed and glorious are you, Mother! May the Lord be praised for ever!