Dear Fathers, Friends in Christ,
Acts 28:16-20, 30-31
Psalm 11:4, 5 and 7
John 21:20-25
Is being our "brother's keeper" our main priority as a Christian? It is something to ponder as we turn to today's gospel.
St. John, the beloved apostle, was following along behind the others as they walked along, and Peter was asking what would happen to John. Christ responded, "What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow Me." (John 21:22)
The phrase "You follow Me" gives us direction regarding the original question. We can get so busy worrying about the lives and salvation of others that we don't take the time to nurture our own relationship with Jesus, the Christ.
Do we have a routine that we follow, such as a morning offering, attending daily Mass if we have time, reading, reflection, night prayers with an examination of conscience, or do we leave our relationship until the last few minutes before we fall asleep at night? Are we comfortable offering all that we did that day to God?
We have the example of Jesus during His mission. Scripture lets us know that the Holy Family followed the Jewish religious traditions, and Jesus as an adult did so, too. He often went off by Himself to pray, especially before any big decision or event. He also prayed for others at that time and for us.
Yes, we are to look out for others, but we can only give away that which we have. If we have merely a weak or no relationship with Christ, that is all that we have to give away. We are to be our "brother's keepers" at home and throughout the world, but we first might work at our own relationship with Christ.
Father Ed Bakker
Anglican Catholic Church / Original Province
Mission of Saint Aidan of Lindisfarne
Bendigo
Australia
Bob Matthews