Tuesday - Jesus Announces to Peter His Death by Martyrdom and Bids Him Follow in His Footsteps

“Amen, amen, I say to thee, when thou wast younger, thou didst gird thyself and didst walk whither thou wouldst. But when thou shalt be old thou shalt stretch forth thy hands and another shall gird thee and lead thee whither thou wouldst not. And this He said, signifying by what death He should glorify God. And when He said this, He saith to him: ‘Follow Me.’ Peter turning about, saw that disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also leaned on His breast at supper, and said: ‘Lord, who is he that shall betray Thee?’ Him, therefore, when Peter had seen, he saith to Jesus: ‘Lord, and what shall this man do?’”

(John 21, 18-22).

First Prelude: Hear Jesus bidding Peter follow Him and lovingly admonishing him.

Second Prelude: Grant me grace, O Jesus, to lose no time in idle curiosity and useless occupations, but to strive with all my strength to follow Thee on the path of humility and self-denial.

First Point

Jesus Foretells the Martyrdom of Peter

Peter had thrice testified his love for the Divine Saviour; still, mindful of his past fall, he was not without apprehension for the future. Our Blessed Saviour, discerning the mind of the disciple, willed to calm and quiet him. He, therefore, assured Peter of His undying love, by foretelling him that he should resemble his Saviour by the immolation of his life, yes, even by his death on the cross. An exceedingly painful death should be the reward of Peter’s fidelity. Let us take well to heart that patient carrying of our cross is the touchstone of our love of Jesus. Let us learn to esteem the cross as a mark of God’s especial love for us, and as a means wherewith to make Him some return. When Jesus said: “Thou didst gird thyself and didst walk whither thou wouldst: . . . but another shall gird thee and lead thee whither thou wouldst not,” He alluded to two kinds of crosses. We can shoulder various mortifications and penitential exercises voluntarily, as it were, girding ourselves for the love of Jesus. Who should not feel strongly impelled thereto in religious life! But at the same time, we must suffer ourselves to be girded by others, by suffering patiently and with resignation the trials, the persecutions and the sufferings ordinarily inseparable from the faithful discharge of our duties. “Follow Me,” said the Lord to Peter. Peter should constantly have before him the example of His Lord and Master, Who Himself first suffered death on the cross, that the disciple, too, might willingly bear the cross and die thereon.

Second Point

Jesus Rebukes Peter for His Curiosity

To Peter’s question: “Lord, and what shall befall this one?” our Lord made answer, “If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Do thou follow Me.” What an important lesson for us! In community life it is not an uncommon temptation to be concerned about the affairs of others. Even among the devout there are such as busy themselves less with their own affairs and with God, than with the concerns of others, to their own spiritual detriment. Such curiosity is very culpable. It deprives us of interior recollection, of peace of heart, violates Christian charity, and not seldom engenders discord. Let us, therefore, earnestly resolve not to concern ourselves in things for which we shall not be held accountable.

Let us follow Jesus, and in all simplicity and humility of heart serve the Lord our God. If we are solicitous for our sanctification, we shall find, in our own heart, so much to correct and to set aright, that little time will remain for observing and criticizing the actions of others. Neither should we be too solicitous for our own future, but, casting all our cares upon the Lord, we should trust implicitly in His loving Providence.

Let us conscientiously use the present moments and hold ourselves in readiness faithfully to follow the voice of the Lord, Who will call us when and whither it shall please Him. How many a fault should I have avoided, how much grief spared myself, had I taken Christ’s words: “What is that to Thee?” for my guiding principle in all my relations with my neighbor, and had regulated my conduct toward my fellow religious and those committed to my care, solely by charity!

Affections:

O my Jesus, to what sanctity should I have attained had I heeded Thy admirable lessons! But, alas, instead of thinking solely of following Thee and imitating Thy example, I riveted my attention on vain, earthly things and lost countless graces by a distracted, dissipated life. O my Saviour, I realize my folly; I repent of it, and promise amendment. Constantly recollected in spirit, I will fix my attention on Thee, my sublime Ideal, will draw strength and courage from union with Thee, to carry my cross lovingly after Thee. O Jesus, assist my weakness by Thy almighty grace.

Resolution:

I will be solicitous to perform that which is entrusted to me whole-heartedly, without concerning myself in the affairs of others.

Spiritual Bouquet:

“If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? Do thou follow Me.”

Prayer:

Jesus, my Lord, my King . . .