Scripture
John 21: 20-25
Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them; he was the one who had reclined next to Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”
When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about him?” Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? Follow me!” So the rumor spread in the community that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
This is the disciple who is testifying to these things and has written them, and we know that his testimony is true. But there are also many other things that Jesus did; if every one of them were written down, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Ignatian Reflection
Stay Focused on the Mission
In this closing scene of John’s Gospel, Peter is following Jesus (literally) when he turns to see John, the Beloved Disciple, following along behind. Peter asks Jesus about John’s fate. If you can imagine the scene you might see Jesus spin around to level at Peter a soul penetrating look and a rebuke: “what is that to you?” The rebuke comes off as harsh, but Jesus is making an essential point; Peter, as the leader of the nascent Church, must stay focused on the mission which means following Jesus—without worry or distraction—into the Kingdom of God. Jesus hammers home the point by commanding even more forcefully, “Follow me!”
Jesus levels this same penetrating look and emphatic command at you and me. “Stay focused on the coming of the Kingdom, the pearl of great price, and follow me!” But how do we do this? We do this with the help of God’s grace, grace that is the result of prayer, prayer that springs from our loving desire to do what Jesus commands.
In the Second Week of the Spiritual Exercises, St. Ignatius instructs us to begin each prayer session by asking for “an intimate knowledge of our Lord, . . . that I may love Him more and follow Him more closely.” (SE 104, Puhl translation). Can you pray today for the grace to know Jesus more intimately, love him more dearly, and follow him more closely so as to live into a world made new by Divine love?
—Bill Lipscomb is a spiritual director with the Ignatian Spirituality Center and the Church of the Gesu in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bill is a graduate of the Seminars in Ignatian Formation program of the Midwest Jesuits. Bill serves as a board member for the Ignatian Spirituality Project and as a spiritual reflector for the Ignatian Volunteer Corps.
Ignatian Prayer
May 23, 2026
Prayer
Jesus, teacher and friend, help us today to keep our eyes and hearts on you even as the world consumes our time and attention with a thousand temptations to compete and compare, criticize and judge, and worry and regret. Help us today and every day to follow along with Peter and John in your way of love into the Kingdom of God. Amen.
—Bill Lipscomb
The Daily Examen is a prayer technique developed by St. Ignatius to help us reflect on the events of the day to discern God's presence and direction. When Ignatius founded the Society of Jesus, he required the Jesuits to practice the Examen twice daily—at noon and at the end of the day. It's a habit that Jesuits, and many other Christians, practice to this day.
The Examen structure presented below is adapted from a technique described by Ignatius Loyola in his Spiritual Exercises. Click here for more information from our partners in ministry at Loyola Press.
Daily Examen
1. Become aware of God's presence
God, I believe that at this moment I am in your presence and you are loving me.
2. Review the day with gratitude
God, you know my needs better than I know them. Give me your light and your help to see how you have been with me, both yesterday and today.
3. Pay attention to your emotions
God, help me to be grateful for the moments when people have affirmed me and challenged me. Help me to see how I have responded, and whether I have been kind to others and open to growth.
4. Choose one feature of the day and pray from it
God, forgive me for when I have not done my best or have failed to treat others well. Encourage me, guide me, and continue to bless me.
5. Look toward tomorrow
As I look to the remainder of this day, make me aware that you are with me. Show me how to be the person you want me to be.
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