June 11, 2011
Memorial of Saint Barnabas, Apostle
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." John 21:21-22
Piety
Father, so often we compare ourselves to others -- what they have equals what we want. Your Son reminds us that the only measure of our life is in faith and service. Help us to let go of our propensity to keep up with the Joneses so that we might be better able to concentrate on following you and serving others. Amen.
Study
John's Gospel ends with five commandments to Peter.
Feed my lambs.
Tend my sheep.
Feed my sheep.
Follow me.
You follow me.
These variations on the two greatest commandments are at the core of the Christian experience. John's emphasis on these underscore their importance at the close of his great Gospel. This book opens with the narrative summary:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came to be through him, and without him nothing came to be. What came to be through him was life, and this life was the light of the human race; the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. (John 1:1-5)
In the end, are these departing words to guide us. These commands are the ways that we will find life, overcome darkness, and continue to shine for the human race.
Action
Today's Gospel reminds us not to measure ourselves by what others do but only by our own personal fidelity to the Gospel commandments to love God and love our neighbor.
Life gives us daily opportunities to help others near to us and far away. We must stop worrying about our portfolio value as the market continues dropping for the sixth straight week. Instead, place yourself in the Midwest and Southeast where violent weather and spring floods continue to disrupt lives and uproot families rich and poor. Or imagine being in Arizona where one of the worst wildfires in history is destroying property and lives.
The water levels continue to rise in places like Iowa and Missouri. Consider ways that you can pitch in to help the flood, tornado and fire victims through your charitable giving and volunteer work. This CNN story (http://www.cnn.com/2011/US/04/28/how.to.help/index.html) tells you some of the organizations you can support.
Pray that those who are in the path of these rising waters and searing flames and tornadoes are brought to safe places.
