“The Gospel gives us a very human moment. Peter turns around and sees John, the beloved disciple, following behind. Then Peter asks Jesus: “Lord, what about him?” (John 21:21).

And Jesus responds: “What if I want him to remain until I come? What concern is it of yours? You follow me” (John 21:22).

Those words are simple, but they carry a powerful message.

First, stop comparing your journey with the journey of others.

Peter had just received a difficult mission. Jesus had already hinted that Peter would one day suffer and glorify God through his death.

Perhaps Peter became uneasy and asked: “Lord… and what about John? Will his life also be difficult?”

Isn’t this also our tendency?

“Lord, why is their life easier than mine?” “Why does their family seem happier?” “Why are they more successful?” “Why does that person receive more blessings?”

Social media has made this even worse. We now compare not only with neighbors but with thousands of people every day.

Comparison steals peace.

Jesus gently reminds Peter and us: Do not become too occupied with another person’s path that you forget your own calling.

Your mission is not to live somebody else’s life. Your mission is to follow Jesus faithfully where He has placed you.

Second, every disciple has a different vocation but the same destination. Jesus did not call Peter and John to identical lives. Peter would lead and eventually die as a martyr. John would live longer and witness through writing and presence.

Different paths. Same Lord.

This is also true in the Church. Some are called to priesthood, others to marriage. Some are called to public leadership, others to quiet service. Some carry heavy crosses; others become sources of consolation.

We do not measure holiness by popularity, position, wealth, or recognition. We measure holiness by faithfulness.

And finally, focus less on others and more on your response to God.

There is a question that can destroy peace: “Why them?”

But there is another question that changes life: “Lord, what are You asking of me?”

Today many people spend more energy criticizing others than improving themselves.

We compare ministries. We compare dioceses. We compare families. We compare priests. We compare lifestyles.

But Jesus says: “You follow Me.”

Not: Watch others.

Not: Control others.

Not: Compete with others.

But: Follow Me.

My dear brothers and sisters,

John ends today’s Gospel by saying that there are many other things Jesus did, and the world itself could not contain all the books that could be written.

In other words: Jesus is greater than what we understand. So trust Him.

You do not need to know why God is leading others differently. You only need enough grace to say: “Lord, wherever You lead me, I will follow.”