Homily for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter

In today's Gospel scene, we see three main characters: Jesus, Peter, and the Beloved Disciple. Peter had just received an important responsibility: "Feed my lambs and my sheep." But instead of asking what this new role might entail, Peter asks about the future of the Beloved Disciple: "Lord, what about him?"

Jesus seems to respond by saying, "I have other plans for him. You follow me, doing the work I have given you." Peter and the Beloved Disciple had different roles to play. Peter's ministry ended with his martyrdom in Rome during the first persecution under Emperor Nero, while the Beloved Disciple stayed in the East and seems to have died an older man, either in Ephesus or on the island of Patmos.

The Lord has a unique role for each of us, something that no one else can do. Rather than wondering, like Peter, what God wants from other people, we need to discern what task is given to us personally. Comparing ourselves with others is just a distraction; we can only be ourselves.