The gospel for Saturday of the seventh week of Easter is taken from St. John, 21st chapter, 20th, 25th verse. Peter turned and saw the disciple following who Jesus loved. The one who had also reclined upon his chest during the supper. And it said, master, who is the one who will betray you? When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, lord, what about him?

Jesus said to him, what if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me. So the word spread among the brothers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus had not told him he would not die. Just what if I want him to remain until I come?

What concern is it of yours? It is this disciple who testifies to these things and has written them. And we know that his testimony is true. There are also many other things that Jesus did. But if these were to be described individually, I do not think the whole world would contain the books that would be written. It’s interesting to me that this gospel is the final words of John.

And it goes back to something that was obviously an issue among the disciples. Who did he like more? Who was he closer to? It’s pretty clear from the Scriptures, I mean, that he was very close to John. And that gave John, I think, a certain ability to share his message, Jesus message with the world in a way that maybe the other disciples couldn’t. And it’s like he’s closing his disciples by saying, yes, I was closer to Jesus than some of them.

And I really do want you to believe everything I said. Because my insight is different. My insights are mine. And I give them to you freely. Believe in them, because I believe in them. And I’ve shared them with you.

Father, each of the disciples have shared with us their memories of you and all that they saw and all that they heard. But each one has a different perspective. And without that, we wouldn’t have the fullness of knowledge of who you are. Without all four gospels, help us to honor them, honor their differences, honor their uniqueness. As we learn in a special way from each of them. And we ask this in Jesus name, Amen.