John 21:20-25
‘If I want him to stay behind till I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.’
We have come to the final chapter of John’s Gospel and perhaps have a sense of having made a long and sometimes meandering journey through the themes of Light, Life, Love and Glory.
There are puzzling lines in today’s text with mention of the Beloved Disciple and the idea that he was to stay behind until the Lord comes. It can seem strange to think of Jesus loving one person in particular. Much of our theology tells us that Christ makes no distinction among people. Of course, on a human level we know that we do in fact love some more and others less.
The image of the Beloved Disciple leaning on Jesus’ breast at the Last Supper has occupied the minds of many spiritual writers. It’s possible to weave all kinds mystical ideas into this scene. I like to stay at the simple level of closeness to Jesus. What does closeness to Jesus mean in my own life? Where are the Last Supper scenes in my own life? Where do I seat myself at the table?
We have a lifetime to ponder these questions. As you prepare to take up Ordinary Time again, look back over Eastertide and notice the times when you have known yourself close to Jesus.