John 20:4
"They both ran, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and arrived at the tomb first."
In today's Gospel we read that two of the apostles, Peter and "the disciple whom Jesus loved", were told by Mary Magdalene that Jesus had risen from the dead. In Sacred Scripture, the "disciple whom Jesus loved" is understood to be John the Apostle When Peter and John heard of Jesus's resurrection, they raced each other to his empty tomb. John was much faster than Peter, and reached the tomb well before he did. Yet, in humility, John allowed his brother in Christ to enter first.
I wonder how Peter felt when he was trailing behind a seemingly more faithful follower of Christ. After all, Peter denied the Lord three times during his passion, while John reclined on the heart of Christ at the Last Supper and was the only apostle to remain with Jesus crucified. Still, John let Peter enter before him, thereby highlighting an interesting aspect of discipleship: even when another member of Christ's body seems holier than us, it works for our good. For the closer one draws near to the glory of the Lord, the more they are emptied of themselves and filled with the Divine Love; and it is the nature of love to humble oneself.
Get to know our seminarians! Today's reflection was written by:
Mark DeSio, Senior
Home parish: Blessed Sacrament in Seminole
Did you know...
I'm 23 years old, come from a large Catholic family, and I pray and hope that my life becomes a great consolation to the Sacred Heart of Jesus Christ.
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