Today’s Gospel gives us the last words of John’s Gospel, and here is part of the reading: ‘Peter turned and saw following them the disciple whom Jesus loved, who had lain close to his breast at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?” When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” The saying spread abroad among the brethren that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”’

St John Chrysostom commented: ‘Then Peter turning about, sees the disciple whom Jesus loved following; who also leaned on His breast at supper; and says, “Lord, and what shall this man do?” Wherefore has he reminded us of that reclining?  …John is silent, but Peter speaks. Since he spoke from strong affection, and wishing not to be torn away from him, Christ, to show that however much he might love, he could not go beyond His love, says, “If I will that he tarry — what is that to you?” By these words teaching us not to be impatient, nor curious beyond what seems good to Him. For because Peter was ever hot, and springing forward to enquiries such as this, to cut short his warmth, and to teach him not to enquire farther, He says this. “Do not thou on any account suppose, He says, that I order your matters after a single rule. … You have had a work entrusted to you, look to it, accomplish it, labour and struggle”’.

May God bless each one of us, and keep us faithful in the task He has entrusted only to us, unswerving in our obedience. And may we all find much joy.