Gospel Reading for June 07, 2025 – John 21: 20-25
HOLISTIC
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.
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In this gospel of John, we see why the Catholic Church relies not only on Sacred Scriptures or the Bible, but also on Tradition. Indeed, the first gospel was written by Mark in 70 AD, and biblical scholars say that he wrote his gospel for Peter. Surely, there were so many events in the life of Jesus that were no longer written. What is far more important is that his teachings were preserved and passed on to us, to past generations and to generations yet to come. His teachings have enriched our lives, giving us a purpose for living, making death on earth not a negative thing, but our entry to eternal living.
There will be those who will say that we just have to rely on the Bible. Instead of arguing with them, let us just be very grateful that our celebration of Jesus’ life is HOLISTIC and very rich!
O, Holy Spirit, than you for enlightening our evangelists as they wrote the gospels!
