7th Week of Easter : Saturday 7th June 2025

Most farewells are loaded with poignant and immortalized undertones, to draw us deeply into the scenes with trepidation and expectancy, bequeathed with an openness of heart.

We read that both farewell scenes in Acts and John’s Gospel do not elaborate what will happen to St. Paul, St. Peter and the Beloved Disciple. St. Paul continues his ministry unhindered (cf. Acts 28:31). St. Peter continues to follow lovingly his Lord and Master who asked him to “Follow Me” (cf. John 21:22). The Beloved Disciple continues to bear witness to the testimony of life, words, deeds and ministry of his Master so that you may believe that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” and that “believing you may have life in His name” (cf. John 20:31). It simply prepares us to recognize that the mission, far from drawing to a conclusion, has only just begun. Their common love for the Risen Lord will barrel them and their successors to the “end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

St. Paul, with his boots strapped on, will be led to his martyrdom, beheaded by a sword. St. Peter, totally undeterred in his love for his Lord and Master, will receive the crown of martyrdom by a crucifixion upside down. The Beloved Disciple, which could be you and me, will remain steadfast and close to the Lord at all times, comforted and drawing strength from Him for others.

Lord Jesus, You prepare Your saints into Your mission, may my dedication enlarge my heart with more room for compassion.