Saturday, June 7 : Saint Anthony of Padua

The love of Jesus for his faithful disciple is shown by the words: “Peter turned and saw the disciple following whom Jesus loved, the one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper” (Jn 21:20). Someone who truly follows the Lord wants everyone to follow him, which is why he turns to his neighbor with kind attentions, prayers, and proclamation of the gospel. Peter’s turning around signifies all those things. In the book of Revelation we find the same idea: “The bridegroom and the bride – Christ and the Church – say: ‘Come!’ Let him who hears say: ‘Come!'” (Rv 22:17). Christ, through interior inspiration, and the Church, by preaching, say: “Come!” And whoever hears these words says to his neighbor: “Come!” which is to say: “Follow Jesus!” Then Peter, turning round, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following after. Jesus loves the one who follows him. Although his name is not mentioned, John stands out from the others, not because Jesus only loved him but because he loved him more than the others. He loved all the others, but this man was closer to him. (…) It was he who “reclined upon his chest during the supper” (Jn 21:20). This was a great sign of love, the fact that he alone could have leant on the chest of Jesus, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Col 2:3). (…) And so, during the Supper in heaven, we shall be satisfied for eternity, we shall take our rest together with John on the chest of Jesus. The heart is in the chest; love is in the heart. We shall rest in his love because we shall love him with all our heart and all our soul, and shall discover in him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (…) So to him be the praise and the glory for endless ages. Amen.
Roman Catholic Ordinary Calendar – rosary,team