Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter

Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter

• First Reading - Acts 28:16-20, 30-31: The Apostle Paul, as a prisoner in Rome, boldly proclaims the kingdom of God and teaches about Jesus Christ, welcoming all who come to him, spreading the Gospel until the end of his days.
• Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 11: The Lord, seated on His heavenly throne, watches over all mankind, examining both the just and the wicked, but His favor rests upon the upright, who will behold His face.
• Gospel - John 21:20-25: Jesus and Peter engage in a conversation where Jesus reveals Peter's future and affirms his call to follow Him. The passage also highlights the beloved disciple, John, and his unique role, while emphasizing the authority of Jesus, the enduring impact of the Gospel, and the importance of focusing on individual discipleship rather than comparing it to others.

Themes for the Daily Mass Readings for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter

• Jesus' Unique Authority: The passage also emphasizes Jesus' unique authority and identity. In verse 22, Jesus responds to Peter's question about John's fate by saying, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!" This statement indicates Jesus' authority to determine the course of each disciple's life and underscores His divine sovereignty.
• Witnessing and Testimony: The closing verses of this passage (verses 24-25) emphasize the testimony and reliability of the disciple who witnessed these events. The author of the Gospel of John, traditionally identified as the apostle John, asserts the truthfulness of his account and the significance of the eyewitness testimony.
• The Unfathomable Nature of Jesus' Works: In verse 25, the author states, "But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written." This statement emphasizes the vastness and incomprehensibility of Jesus' works and teachings, pointing to His divine nature and the limitless depth of His ministry.
• The Enduring Bond of Love: The intimate relationship, trust, and authority between Jesus and John invites us to reflect on our own connection with Jesus and the power of His love in our lives.

Thoughts for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter

In the Gospel for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter of John 21:20-25, we encounter a profound encounter between Jesus and the beloved disciple, John. We are invited to reflect on the enduring bond of love that existed between Jesus and John, and the lessons we can glean from their relationship.

One of the first aspects that strikes us is the unique love that Jesus had for John. Referred to as the "disciple whom Jesus loved," John experienced a profound intimacy with the Lord. Their connection was built on a foundation of trust, understanding, and deep friendship. It is a reminder to us that Jesus desires an intimate relationship with each one of us. Just as He loved John uniquely, He loves us with an everlasting and personal love, desiring to draw us closer to Himself.

Another element to ponder is the trust that John had in Jesus. In this passage, when Peter questions Jesus about John's future, Jesus gently redirects Peter's attention back to his own path of discipleship, saying, "What is that to you? You follow me!" (John 21:22). John's trust in Jesus was unwavering. He understood that his journey was not to be compared with others, but rather to be solely focused on following Jesus. In our own lives, we are called to trust in Jesus completely, surrendering our plans and comparisons, and embracing the path that He has set before us.

Moreover, this passage reveals Jesus' authority and divine sovereignty. When Jesus tells Peter, "If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?" (John 21:22), He underscores His unique authority over the lives of His disciples. As Catholics, we recognize Jesus as the Lord and Master of our lives, the one who directs our steps and orchestrates our journey of faith. We are reminded to submit ourselves to His will and to trust that His plans for us are always perfect, even when they may differ from our own expectations.

Lastly, John's testimony in this passage reinforces the enduring power of the Gospel message. He declares that if all that Jesus did were written down, the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. John, through his Gospel, presents us with a profound witness to the life, teachings, and miracles of Jesus Christ. This testimony calls us to embrace the Gospel fully, allowing its transformative power to shape our lives and guide our actions. It reminds us that the message of Jesus transcends time and continues to impact and change hearts even today.

As we reflect on the encounter between Jesus and John in this Gospel passage, let us strive to cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with Jesus, trusting in His guidance and authority. May we embrace our unique path of discipleship, free from comparisons or distractions, and proclaim the enduring power of the Gospel in our lives. Let us draw inspiration from the bond of love between Jesus and John, allowing it to illuminate our own journey of faith as we seek to follow Jesus wholeheartedly.

Prayer for Saturday of the 7th Week of Easter

Dear Lord, we humbly seek to deepen our connection with You. Grant us the grace to trust in Your authority, embrace our unique path of discipleship, and be transformed by the enduring power of Your love. Amen.

Word on Fire: Embracing the Cross

In this reflection by Bishop Robert Barron for Saturday of the 7th week of Easter, we are reminded that Jesus calls us to true conversion and following Him with a complete shift in consciousness, requiring us to deny ourselves and embrace the cross daily. The foundation of the spiritual life lies in crucifying our ego and embracing the transformative power of self-sacrifice as we strive to be authentic followers of Christ.

USCCB Reflection: Striving for Holiness

In this USCCB video reflection for Saturday of the 7th week of Easter, we hear that Paul is wrongly imprisoned and faces opposition even though he has done nothing to deserve it. The theme highlighted is the danger of becoming preoccupied with others' actions rather than focusing on our own call to holiness, as Pope Francis reminds us to take small, concrete steps in our daily lives to become more like Christ and to avoid becoming agents of conflict.