Conversation at Saint Peter’s Gate

Context taken from John 21:18-22

18 Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19 Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

20 Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21 When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

It was a bright day where the rays of sun pierce through each drop of vapour within the air. It creates a glorious glow of the rainbow colours as a result. There stood a gate; huge and made of gold. St. Peter is sitting at his table, decorated with pearls collected from Christians who had cast their pearls to the swine.

What a glorious day but yet without a single soul passing through the Gate. St. Peter looked down and saw the door of his long time fiend. The door was painted in charred black written with the word “Well Done”. Before the door was a long queue of wretched souls, waiting to their “well-done” stamp onto their back.

St. Peter sighed for a moment, for he could not understand why people preferred to be overly cooked than to be in the ever-spring paradise.

Out of the tranquil surrounding, suddenly, St. Peter’s eyes were glimpsed with excitement as he looked from afar. There seemed to be a shadow coming. By now, he stood up to see who could it be. As the figure drew nearer, he saw a familiar sight – someone with strong body built, like those of a fisherman. His mannerism and style of walking brought Peter much thrill for he knew who he was.

“Yo, my brother, the Disciple whom Jesus loved. What takes you so long to come up here?” exclaimed St. Peter.

“Can’t you get over that statement? You must be so busy at doing nothing! Well, do I sense some jealousy in your words “the Disciple whom Jesus love.” came the loud and uncouth St. John.

As St. John came nearer, St. Peter ran towards him and both gave a good hug, just as in the scene in the prodigal son! There were tears of reunion, so much that the tears went down as droplets of rain onto the earth.

“Yo man, I was jealous. Our LORD revealed to me about my death. I didn’t know what it was till I journey thru my last days on earth and found myself crucifying upside down. So pathetic. But what about you? I wanted to know what was predicted of you. Sigh, I was rebuked by Him. It is as good as telling me to shut up and follow Him.” St. Peter lamented.

“Yes, I remained alive after most of my brothers were martyred. Just as our LORD had predicted, I was alive but you see, He didn’t reveal the reason of me being alive. You think I was having a good time on earth?” Now St. John was a little agitated. “I had to take care of His mother, Mary. Brought her to Ephesus, settle her in a tiny house. Day and night she was crying and I had to see to her need. It was a great responsibility.”. St John continued, “Then I went to Patmos and I began to see inconceivable visions, things I do not understand. I saw strange creatures, I saw the fearsome beast, and I saw the sufferings. I was in anguish with fear. I couldn’t ask what those visions were but was instructed to write.” As St John recounted, his face was filled with bewilderment.

“Then in my old age, I breathe my last. I thought I could finally rest in peace but the christians could not let my body rest. They brought my bones to Rome. There I saw YOUR grand St. Peter Square. You had such a great kingdom.” envied St. John.

Now St. Peter’s face was red. Was he filling with embarrassment or anger? At this juncture, St Peter wished he could hid his face from St. John. As always with his unrestrained character, he sheepishly took some of the passing clouds to hide his face. A voice came in retaliation, “You think I had such a grand kingdom? The people used my name to build St. Peter’s Square through the sale of indulgences and clerical seats. They used my name to pursue their benefits and authority. They were building their own kingdom, not mine, nor the Lord’s. Since then, I have to excuse myself from joining communion sessions with Paul, James and Barnabas. I am so embarrassed by St. Peter Square incident. Why do you think I would rather volunteer to be on duty here alone everyday?” Peter chided.

“Wow, I must say I was wrong about you.” replied St. John apologetically. “I thought your building was such a grand project. When I compared with you, I am filled with self-pity; for my St John Basilica in Ephesus is nothing but a ruin. Hardly anyone come to admire my temple, the only visitors are the cats and rats that needed room for exercise!”

St. John paused for a moment, he continued, “after my insignificant peaceful death, my soul traveled around the world to see what has the world become. I was saddened because the Church of God is in nowhere compare to the early church that our dear brother Luke had written. The Holy Spirit has been demoted to the position of a visitor instead of a permanent resident in the Church. Church life is boring, it just lacks the Ohm factor and the fiery passion we had then.”

St. John continued to speak in a despair, “Churches are divided. Ministries operate individualistically as if they own them. They have forgotten the author of their faith, the reason why the ministries are established. They emphasize on the works than their relationship with our good Lord. They have totally missed the point why they are serving.”

Now St. John turned towards St. Peter and asked “When the Lord confronted you “what does it mean to you, you follow me!”, you must be thinking I was enjoying at the LORD’s rebuke on you? My dear brother, how could I? As a matter of fact, the LORD’s rebuke was a lesson for me too; for I knew He wanted us to focus solely on Him. My heart bleed because things done were never for God’s kingdom but for man’s own little kingdom.”

Again, St. Peter was trying to mess with the passing clouds to cover his face for his blurry eyes. “Now I understand why there isn’t a single soul coming here today while there was long queue at Hades. The Church has just missed the whole clutch of the Gospel – love and humility. The boldness and passion that we experienced after the baptism of the Holy Spirit is missing. It is Thy kingdom come but MY will be done.”

There was a long silence as both the apostles reminisced the good old days. St. John pondered in his heart deeply if only the believers were able to see what our LORD sees, they would realize what a fool they had been, falling into Satan’s ploy of quarrelling, pride, and disobedience while the world needs the love and Word of God.

St. Peter, finally managed to soak his tears with the clouds he caught hold of, spoke, “I am very concern about the world. Everyday, as I sat at St. Peter’s gate, I can see our LORD Jesus. He is always looking at the world, as if He was finding needles in the haystack – faithful servants of GOD. Despite He was busy polishing His chariots and preparing His horses, I can see the anxiousness in Him as He keeps looking at the clock tower. Our LORD seems to be waiting yet …….”

While St. Peter was lamenting, St. John’s mind seemed to have drifted into the heavenlies. He asked abruptly, “Hey Peter, tell me….our LORD Jesus said we all will have a mansion. What mansion are you living in? How many rooms, do you have toilet with flushing system as I learn from the people, do you have maids to clean your mansion or Ipad to write my visions? Did you happen to see my mansion? Is mine bigger than James?”

Suddenly, from afar, came a thunderous voice, “John, What does that mean to you, you follow ME!”

~ The End ~

Reflection:- Although this is a short story which carries a light tune, it is simple yet profound. There are various lessons we can pick up. Each of us has our own odyssey with the LORD. Looking back in our Christian journey, are there any signs of Peter in us? Are we concern about the lost souls and His kingdom or do we whine and compare even in our service to the LORD? Perhaps we can take time to pause and reflect the sentence by our LORD Jesus, “What is that to you, you must follow Me”.