The Gospel today contains the last 6 verses in John’s Gospel. The very last sentence in verse 21 is “You follow me.”

If I asked you to whom Jesus is speaking, you would be right in saying, Peter. But many others who answer this question would say Jesus is speaking to all of us. In the Gospels, Jesus says “Follow me” 21 times. Jesus is inviting us to be his disciples, which requires a major shift in the direction of our lives.

Jesus is asking us to change our priorities, what we think about all day, and where and what our hearts are focused on. Many people know of Jesus, but do they know him intimately and imitate his life of sacrificial love?

Taking up your cross implies complete surrender and a willingness to put his mission before personal agenda.

When you go to a picnic this Memorial Day weekend, make sure you really spend time with people the way Jesus spends time with us. Enjoy Jesus’ presence in your midst.

Father Eymard stated, “My boast, my strength, my whole life is in Christ Jesus; without him, I am only myself.” Taken from A Year with Fr. Eymard by Fr. Erasto Fernandez SSS.

Let Us Pray:

Dear heavenly Father, help us to be about the mission Jesus set out before us: to let others know him by seeing him in us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.