Comparisons no, Exceptionality yes
(Jn 21:20-25)
Once again in the fourth Gospel, the [uncertain] Petrine step and character are contrasted with that of the disciple loved by the Lord.
But the fullness of God shines through the whole Church, if genuine. Vocations are different. None in itself is sufficient.
Each one feels the Appeal to pursue their Call by Name in a direct, confidential, personal manner, and step by step, without stalling in confrontation.
No one is a superior model, or vice versa destined to be a facsimile: love erupts in a personal, always free, unprecedented way.
The opinion, affair or curiosity of others is a poison, both for realisation and for the missionary dimension.
Beware, therefore, of hearsay, conjecture, and image, even spread throughout the territory.
Especially in monopoly situations, they would lead to standardization, to “average life”, to collapse.
Beware of comparisons:
«Follow Me» [not others] (v.22) means to adhere to a Heaven that dwells in each son - and in Communion, not in a herd.
To each unique energy, history, and sensitivity, corresponds a reserved, unrepeatable way of being a disciple.
Differences and ties are recomposed in the Spirit, which knows where to go - calling each singular personality to dimensions of collected or extrovert existence - in its own Root.
He who is driven more to action [or reflection] must not linger, nor turn back; rather, immerse himself.
Each one is in the right place. He must not stray from the unique path.
In short, genuine love does not have a generic foundation, but rather an unpredictable, singular, unusual one; relevant though “incorrect”.
We must not be distracted from our natural and spiritual, innate purpose.
The mystery surrounding Christ unfolded in his People is inexhaustible, and we too are called in the first person to fearlessly ‘write’ a characteristic Gospel (v.25) [cf. Jn 20:29-30].
The difference between ancient religiosity and life of Faith? We are not photocopies of persistent conduct, but inventors and outriders.
Christ wants to be reinterpreted in the first person and in the conviviality of differences.
To each one the Master recognises his own way of acting. Consensus has nothing to do with the Vocation.
Instead, we often sit in external armour, and perhaps even measure the life project, the sign of the times, the gift, the stimulus, the Secret of the Brethren, with the same short-sightedness of commensurate programmes.
God reserves the right to point it out to each one. Beyond any 'map' and organisation chart.
Then, even “stability” is partial, awaiting fulfilment.
Whoever bets on the Way of Faith knows that they must depart from the spirit of unilaterality.
The same vigour of the path calls for a quiet pause and convergence.
Even “staying” finally throws its own balanced energy at initiatives... so on.
The ways of following Christ that resonate deep in the heart are as varied as the people, the events, the rhythms commensurate with the soul, the ages.
They embrace the same Proposal - without losing the enduring Mystery or any bond, in such many-sidedness.
Only here... real World, Person, Nature and Eternity team up.
[Saturday 7th wk. in Easter, June 7, 2025]
