You follow me

GOSPEL THOUGHTS

*Easter Season: Seventh Week : Saturday*

*Gospel : Jn 21:20-25*

*First Reading : Acts 28:16-20, 30-31*

*You follow me*

*1) The command : Follow me - Beginning of the Ministry*

When Jesus met the fishermen, on the sea of Galilee, for the first, He said *Follow me*

Gospel says they left everything and followed Jesus 

Jesus began His ministry with this call to His disciples 

*2) Last Part of the Gospel : You Follow me*

Today we reflect the last part of the Gospel, and we have a similar command with individual significance, to highlight the responsibility of each and everyone 

The very fact Jesus is using the same expression in the last part of the Gospel, shows the need of following Jesus 

It is surprising to see that the Gospel ends with the command *Follow me* which is very dear to Jesus and also to us 

*3) "Follow me" applicable to all the Time*

The command *follow me* is applicable to all the time to all the followers of Jesus 

Today Jesus calls us to follow him very closely to continue His mission 

By following Jesus we can definitely participate in the mission of Jesus 

*4) How to follow Jesus?*

In the present context we need to reflect about the various ways of following Jesus 

One of the best ways of following Jesus is the practice the Gospel values 

When we practice the Gospel values like, forgiveness, humility, love, sincerity, generosity, sacrifice, service, sharing, spirit of Prayer and other values, we follow Jesus 

*5) Urgency in the Command : You follow me*

The great command *You follow me* comes in the context of Going ones mission without wasting ones time

It appears that Peter was involved in the discussion on John, who is the beloved disciples of the Lord, Jesus tells him not to involve in such things, but to pay attention to the mission of the Lord 

This also shows the urgency of the mission 

*6) Follow me : My Life*

Jesus is reminding us  everyday through this call to follow Him 

First of all, am I able to experience the call of Jesus in my life, on various occasions? 

Secondly, am I able to follow Jesus in my day to day life, while doing my mission?

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim DSouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*