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Gospel Reading for May 23, 2026 – John 21: 20-25
LIVE OUT
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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How wonderful it would have been if all the things Jesus did had also been written in the Bible. Yet aside from Sacred Scripture, we also have Sacred Tradition. Long before the accounts of Jesus in the New Testament were written, the apostles were already preaching his teachings and living out the life that he himself had shown them.
In fact, only two of the four Evangelists were among the Twelve Apostles: Matthew and John. Mark and Luke were not apostles, but they wrote their Gospels based on the testimony and preaching of the apostles and the early Christian community. Mark is traditionally believed to have written according to the preaching of Peter, while Luke gathered accounts from eyewitnesses and companions of Jesus.
Sacred Tradition is different from the traditions that the Jews passed down from generation to generation—traditions which Jesus found no longer in accord with the Law of God. This was one of the reasons why the scribes/teachers of the law, the Pharisees, the chief priests, and the elders opposed him.
At times, Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition become subjects of debate and argument. Instead of fostering unity, the Word of God can seem to become a cause of division. Yet it is not truly the Word of God that creates disunity, but rather our differing interpretations of it.
In the practice of our faith, it is important that we firmly believe in what the Church teaches through Sacred Scripture (the written Word of God), Sacred Tradition (the living transmission of apostolic teaching), and the Magisterium (the authentic interpreter and guardian of both Scripture and Tradition). Otherwise, we can easily become confused or doubtful whenever the teachings of our faith are challenged.
Most important of all is that we LIVE OUT the teachings of Christ as faithfully taught to us by the Church. As Jesus said: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20a).
Lord Jesus, teach us to be your authentic witnesses wherever we may be!
