“Lord, what about him?” “What concern is it of yours? You follow me!” What a stern set of words by the Lord to Peter! Today’s reading immediately follows the piece we read yesterday, and to understand what might perhaps come to us as a rather “unsolicited” harsh response by the Lord, we have to read today’s Gospel in light of yesterday’s reading. “Simon son of John, do you love me? If you do, follow me. Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following …” Jesus had just asked Peter if his love for Jesus was more in comparison to the love the others had for him. It was a question that might have come as a surprise to Peter because it was common knowledge that this particular disciple was Jesus’ beloved. It was this that might have prompted Peter to ask Jesus about the beloved disciple. Did Jesus have any plans for him? Did it mean that Peter was now the most beloved ? Whether Jesus understood Peter’s question or not, he chose to clarify something else, the “Follow me” part: “If I want him to be around until I come, what does it matter to you? You are to follow me.” Peter’s following of Jesus had nothing to do with the other apostles’ call. Peter’s saying yes to Jesus had nothing to do with his brother Andrew or his friends the sons of Zebedee. It was a personal call, something that involved only him and Jesus. Moreover, it is not where the following of Jesus leads to that proves one’s love for Jesus. One’s love for Jesus is proved by saying yes to the call. Peter, James, John, Andrew and all those who followed Jesus were equally loved by Jesus. All were Jesus’ beloved.